Plans to modernize Bon Secours Wellness Arena and transform its surrounding property into a downtown entertainment district are moving forward following approval of proposed site improvements by the City of Greenville’s Design Review Board.
The board approved what developers are calling the plan’s Phase 1, which includes expanded and reconfigured plazas, new pavers and landscaping, and minor changes to the parking lot layout. A proposed amphitheater and other elements of the broader redevelopment will be addressed in a future phase.
The site work is part of a $150 million master plan to modernize the arena, known as “The Well” and reimagine the entire 12-acre property as an entertainment destination and gateway to downtown Greenville.
Enhanced pedestrian connections and improved sightlines also are intended to strengthen the relationship between the arena property and downtown.
Since opening in 1998, Bon Secours Wellness Arena has become a major venue for sports, entertainment and community events in the Upstate.
The arena is home to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings. It also regularly hosts the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament and has served as a venue for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Arena officials estimate the venue has welcomed more than 12 million fans since opening and generated more than $2 billion in cumulative gross economic impact. The facility also serves as a resource during emergencies, providing shelter for residents and emergency personnel during hurricanes and other natural disasters.
The self-sustaining facility employs a 32-person full-time administrative team and hosts approximately 130 ticketed events annually, in addition to 75 to 100 community and nonprofit events.
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