The Mark - North Georgia Technical College

Welcome to The Mark

The Dr. Mark A. Ivester Center for Living and Learning at North Georgia Technical College

Opening to the general public in Fall 2026, The Mark is NGTC’s newest hub for wellness, recreation, and community connection. Named in honor of the college’s late president, Dr. Mark A. Ivester, this state-of-the-art facility reflects his vision for a vibrant campus experience that supports both students and the surrounding community.

Whether you’re looking to stay active, connect with friends, or try something new, The Mark offers something for everyone.

Facility Features

At The Mark, members will enjoy access to:

Full-size basketball, pickleball, and volleyball courts
The indoor basketball court is striped for basketball, volleyball, and pickleball.
A fully equipped fitness center
Group fitness classes
Equipment checkout includes bicycles, golf clubs, volleyball, soccer, pickleball, basketball, softball, football, badminton, spikeball, cornhole, camping equipment, kayaks, fishing poles, tents, and board games.
Lockers and showers
A game room featuring pool tables and ping pong tables

From competitive play to casual recreation, The Mark is designed to support every fitness level and interest.

Contact Us

Phone: 706-754-7730

Email: campuslife@northgatech.edu

Visit Us: 1500 Highway 197 North, Clarkesville GA 30523

Hours of Operation

Monday–Thursday:
6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Friday & Saturday:
8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Sunday:
1:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Please note: The facility may close periodically for college graduations or special events. All updated hours and closure dates will be posted online and on social media.

Membership Options

Affordable, year-round access to a modern recreation facility — right here in your community.

NGTC Graduates and Retirees $165 annually

Certificate, diploma, or degree
Immediate Family Members of NGTC Employees $165 annually
Community Members $300 annually

More Than A Gym

The Mark is more than a fitness facility — it’s a place where students, alumni, families, and community members come together. It represents NGTC’s commitment to whole-student wellness and to creating spaces that strengthen our region.

We look forward to welcoming you in Fall 2026.

Join Us. Get active.
Be part of The Mark.

The History

The Dr. Mark A. Ivester Center for Living and Learning captures the vision of the late president of North Georgia Technical College and merges the history of the mountain community with a captivating climate of health, fitness, and learning to contribute to each student’s educational experience and success. “Living and Learning in the Mountains” was Dr. Ivester’s favorite description of NGTC that is inscribed on the Georgia historical landmark located at the entrance of the college.

Work began in 2021 on renovation plans with the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission and the construction and design companies with an original allocated amount of $5,620,000 from the state and an additional $250,000 from the NGTC Foundation.

In October 2022, after considerable testing and upon recommendation of the construction manager and design professionals, the proposed Cy Grant Gym renovation was deemed unsafe and the project shifted to a demolition and new construction.

In 2023, the state approved reallocation of MRR funding of $4,000,000 from TCSG for the new construction, and the college committed an additional $1.1 million from local NGTC fund revenues.

The building was demolished in September 2023, and new construction began in 2024 during the volatile construction market when the cost of materials continued to increase. This same year, an additional $2 million allotment was provided by the state for the inflated costs of materials and the NGTC Foundation raised $250,000 toward the new construction at the 2024 Gala supported by the college and community. The final cost of the new Invester Center for Living and Learning is $13.56 million.

Construction is scheduled for completion in April 2026.