Arizona State University is considering a major renovation to Wells Fargo Arena, with a focus on modernizing the facility and constructing an adjacent indoor venue.
Under a plan that will be reviewed by the Arizona Board of Regents Business and Finance Committee on Thursday, a $160 million project would take place at Wells Fargo Arena. Through the renovation, the arena would receive upgraded seating, concourses, restrooms, and concessions. In addition, the plan calls for the construction of a new 5,000-seat indoor venue that would be connected to Wells Fargo Arena’s east side and host multiple sports, including hockey, gymnastics, and wrestling.
The project is pending approval, but construction could begin in February 2019. The new indoor venue would be mostly completed in July 2020, with the Wells Fargo Arena renovations largely wrapping up by July 2021. More from The Arizona Republic:
The arena’s new concourse will have a wider pathway. Restrooms and concessions will be upgraded. Between 250 to 300 club seats will be added along with 48 loge seats.
The total number of seats when completed is not yet available.
The arena now seats about 14,100.
The men’s hockey team now rents ice time for practice and games at Oceanside Ice Arena near McClintock Drive and McKellips Road in Tempe. The team also plays a handful of games at Gila River Arena in Glendale.
ASU was at one point pitched on the idea of obtaining a new hockey arena through a partnership with the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, but university officials opted early last year to not pursue that partnership. As for the Wells Fargo Arena renovation/indoor venue concept, it could go before the Arizona Board of Regents for approval next month.