MARION, SC (WBTW) – It’s been years since the old Marion amphitheater opened up its gates for a show.
Since then, a new owner has cleaned the place up and given it a new name, “Swamp Fox Entertainment Complex.”
Now the stage is set for not only the reopening but potentially hundreds jobs and millions of dollars coming into Marion County.
Just nearly 9 months ago it was hard to imagine this 250-acre lot off of Highway 501 as more than just an empty lot.
After months of renovations, having issues with weather and a $5.6 million hit back in the spring, organizers were left with no choice but to push the scheduled reopening in May.
“We were setback by our fiber optics. We had no communication. Most people would have walked away after this last debacle. They would have put their heads in shame, walked out, and closed the door and see you later. But we didn’t do that,” said owner Bob Hartmann.
Not only will bikers and different acts come into town, Hartmann says the self-sustaining complex will generate over $4 million into Marion County alone annually.
“Once the bar gets in place up there, there will be a main street which will house everything from a hotel,” explained Hartmann as he pointed towards the entrance.
The venue will host its first event, Bikerbash 2015, starting Thursday September 24th through October 4th.
It will be considered a soft opening.
Hartmann says over the next few years they will look to build hotels, cabins and the largest bar to make it a year round venue.
“It’s going to be a tremendous boom to this county,” he said.
