Since Bon Secours Wellness Arena opened in 1998, it hasn’t undergone any major enhancements, and we’ve recently seen other Southeastern arenas — PNC Arena in Raleigh + the Spectrum Center in Charlotte — begin major overhauls to improve and modernize their venues.
First reported by The Post and Courier Greenville, The Well is hoping to stay competitive in the region by undergoing a $150 million renovation. Here’s how that money would be used:
- $31 million in back-of-house renovations and expansion
- $66 million in front-of-house renovations and expansion
- $10 million in land acquisition
- $43 million in repairs and improvements
The why
General Manager of the arena, Beth Paul, asked state lawmakers for $31 million towards renovations this year, saying it is “imperative” to make improvements to “extend relationships with the Southeastern Conference, the NCAA, and major touring artists.” The arena received a smaller amount of money than they asked for.
“We want Greenville to shine, continue to shine, and we want Greenville to have the best arena in the Southeast,” Paul told The Post and Courier Greenville.
What’s next?
The funding plan for the renovations is advancing to City Council + a request for proposals is out as The Well aims to hire a firm to create a master plan for the arena’s renovations. Once a firm is selected, the planning process is expected to take 35-40 weeks.
The first phase of renovations could begin in summer 2025 and would feature backstage improvements that would continue for three to four years.
Read the full report from The Post and Courier Greenville.