Grand Ole Opry will celebrated its 93rd birthday this past weekend. On Thursday afternoon, Nashville Mayor David Briley, Opry member Jeannie Seely, Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. Chairman and CEO Colin Reed, and Opry Entertainment Chief Operating Officer Pete Weien showcased the first phase of a $12 million Grand Ole Opry Complex expansion with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Highlights of the expansion project:
Additional Parking and Expanded Gift Shop
The expansion project announced last fall adds to the Opry guests’ experience through several additions and enhancements, including a larger 5,000-square-foot retail footprint and a new box office. The project also includes a new parking area featuring 1,100 surface parking spaces on undeveloped land just north of the Opry House, adding a convenient parking option for Opry guests and providing the public with additional parking during peak times.
New Theatre to Be Completed in 2019
Plans were also revealed last week for a new state-of-the-art Opry House backstage tour theater and VIP event space to open in Spring 2019. The 100-seat space will feature a new backstage tour film to begin production in January and to include new Opry member interviews and performances as well as highlights from the Opry’s vast video and audio archives.
Photos courtesy Grand Ole Opry LLC. Chris Hollo, photographer
