Renovations, expansion plans revealed for the Bon Secours Wellness Arena
The renovation and expansion plans for the Bon Secours Wellness Arena were revealed Thursday morning. Check out this slideshow or the video above to see what it will look like The master plan, unveiled by the Greenville Arena District (GAD), owner and operator of Bon Secours Wellness Arena, includes the following: Enhancements at the concourse level, adding 22,000 square feet, include more accessible seating, expanded restrooms, improved circulation, and additional food and beverage options. New premium seating at various price points, redesigned entrances for better congestion management, and a new western entrance and lobby affording space for community events.A new façade, the exterior design establishes an architectural landmark that embodies Greenville’s environment and progressive spirit.Transforming an asphalt parking lot into a 6,500-seat outdoor amphitheater and a mixed-use development that features restaurants and retail, along with public spaces for daily community use and green areas.Enhancing pedestrian paths, improved sightlinesExpanding the loading docks from two to four, adding storage, and enhancing dressing rooms and flex-space areas by an additional 18,000 square feet. Beyond entertainment, the facility has served as vital infrastructure during emergencies, providing shelter for residents and emergency personnel during hurricanes and other natural disasters.The project is expected to create 545 permanent jobs, generating $15 million annually in compensation and an estimated $63 million each year in economic impact. “The master plan we are presenting today is about updating a building and protecting a vital community asset for the next 25 years and beyond,” Neetu Patel, Chairman of the Greenville Arena District Board, said. The planning process included extensive community engagement, including focus groups with former residents of Little Texas, shadowing sessions with members of the disability community, surveys of thousands of guests and premium seat holders, and meetings with neighborhood representatives, city and county officials, and business leaders.The Greenville Arena District said the plan, developed by the architecture firms LS3P, LMN, and Gensler, emphasizes its commitment to being the Upstate’s premier hub for live events and concerts. It also aims to generate economic activity that significantly benefits local businesses, supports infrastructure development, and enhances the region’s cultural vibrancy and quality of life.“For 25 years, the Arena has proudly served as a cornerstone of entertainment and economic vitality. To continue being a resource for the area, we needed a comprehensive roadmap for a future where we remain a top destination for world-class entertainment and sporting events,” Beth Paul, General Manager of Bon Secours Wellness Arena, said. “This master plan reflects the needs, expectations, and aspirations of our entire community and positions the Arena for the next 25 years and beyond.”Six core principles guided the master plan: enhancing connectivity to downtown, creating a welcoming environment, strengthening community partnerships, improving the guest experience, ensuring safety and wellness, and practicing financial stewardship while honoring the site’s history. The rapidly evolving entertainment industry also influenced the vision. This involved addressing new artist needs for staging and production, adapting to shifting audience expectations, and responding to increased competition from venues in the Southeast and across the nation. “Community engagement and collaboration with our neighbors and stakeholders have been priorities from the beginning,” Paul stated. “The outcome is a plan that harmonizes innovation with fiscal responsibility and enthusiasm with practicality. This is not the conclusion of our community engagement process, but a significant milestone within it. We will continue to seek input and refine our plans as we move forward.”The next phase of the master planning process will involve further development of the designs, refinement of cost estimates, exploration of funding strategies, and ongoing engagement with stakeholders. GAD aims to finalize the plan by the end of the year, intending to begin the most critical arena improvements in 2026 or early 2027.
The renovation and expansion plans for the Bon Secours Wellness Arena were revealed Thursday morning.
Check out this slideshow or the video above to see what it will look like
The master plan, unveiled by the Greenville Arena District (GAD), owner and operator of Bon Secours Wellness Arena, includes the following:
- Enhancements at the concourse level, adding 22,000 square feet, include more accessible seating, expanded restrooms, improved circulation, and additional food and beverage options.
- New premium seating at various price points, redesigned entrances for better congestion management, and a new western entrance and lobby affording space for community events.
- A new façade, the exterior design establishes an architectural landmark that embodies Greenville’s environment and progressive spirit.
- Transforming an asphalt parking lot into a 6,500-seat outdoor amphitheater and a mixed-use development that features restaurants and retail, along with public spaces for daily community use and green areas.
- Enhancing pedestrian paths, improved sightlines
- Expanding the loading docks from two to four, adding storage, and enhancing dressing rooms and flex-space areas by an additional 18,000 square feet.
- Beyond entertainment, the facility has served as vital infrastructure during emergencies, providing shelter for residents and emergency personnel during hurricanes and other natural disasters.
The project is expected to create 545 permanent jobs, generating $15 million annually in compensation and an estimated $63 million each year in economic impact.
“The master plan we are presenting today is about updating a building and protecting a vital community asset for the next 25 years and beyond,” Neetu Patel, Chairman of the Greenville Arena District Board, said.
The planning process included extensive community engagement, including focus groups with former residents of Little Texas, shadowing sessions with members of the disability community, surveys of thousands of guests and premium seat holders, and meetings with neighborhood representatives, city and county officials, and business leaders.
The Greenville Arena District said the plan, developed by the architecture firms LS3P, LMN, and Gensler, emphasizes its commitment to being the Upstate’s premier hub for live events and concerts.
It also aims to generate economic activity that significantly benefits local businesses, supports infrastructure development, and enhances the region’s cultural vibrancy and quality of life.
“For 25 years, the Arena has proudly served as a cornerstone of entertainment and economic vitality. To continue being a resource for the area, we needed a comprehensive roadmap for a future where we remain a top destination for world-class entertainment and sporting events,” Beth Paul, General Manager of Bon Secours Wellness Arena, said. “This master plan reflects the needs, expectations, and aspirations of our entire community and positions the Arena for the next 25 years and beyond.”
Six core principles guided the master plan: enhancing connectivity to downtown, creating a welcoming environment, strengthening community partnerships, improving the guest experience, ensuring safety and wellness, and practicing financial stewardship while honoring the site’s history.
The rapidly evolving entertainment industry also influenced the vision. This involved addressing new artist needs for staging and production, adapting to shifting audience expectations, and responding to increased competition from venues in the Southeast and across the nation.
“Community engagement and collaboration with our neighbors and stakeholders have been priorities from the beginning,” Paul stated. “The outcome is a plan that harmonizes innovation with fiscal responsibility and enthusiasm with practicality. This is not the conclusion of our community engagement process, but a significant milestone within it. We will continue to seek input and refine our plans as we move forward.”
The next phase of the master planning process will involve further development of the designs, refinement of cost estimates, exploration of funding strategies, and ongoing engagement with stakeholders. GAD aims to finalize the plan by the end of the year, intending to begin the most critical arena improvements in 2026 or early 2027.
