PHOTOS:Renderings for $1B entertainment district, including Reno’s men’s basketball arena

RENO, Nev. (KRNV) — Reno’s Grand Sierra Resort has released new renderings and a video of its proposed project to build a $1 billion entertainment district, which would include a new arena for the Nevada men’s basketball team.

The ‘Reno Arena’, which would be home of the Nevada men’s basketball team and a potential AHL hockey team owned by the GSR’s Alex Mereulo., would include a 10,000- seat area, a satellite ice rink, a dedicated parking garage, a fan zone, workforce housing and more.

“The team that Alex Meruelo has assembled to create a transformative arena in Northern Nevada has been outstanding to work with,” said Stephanie Rempe, Athletic Director for the University of Nevada. “We are grateful for their collaboration and commitment to making this arena a very special home for our men’s basketball team. It is an exciting time for Wolf Pack Athletics and we could not be more appreciative of the progress that has been made and eager for the future! This will be an absolute game changer for our basketball program and the community of Northern Nevada.”

The new arena, with a seating capacity exceeding 10,000, is set to become a premier destination for concerts, special events, basketball games and other sports events in Northern Nevada. The state-of-the-art facility will feature modern amenities including luxury suites, premium hospitality clubs, and advanced technological integrations to elevate the fan experience.

“We are making tremendous progress on the design of the arena and amenities and continue to work closely with Gensler and the University of Nevada on all aspects of the arena,” said Shannon Keel, General Manager of Grand Sierra Resort. “We couldn’t be more excited to positively impact our region’s sports and entertainment landscape.”

The arena was previously planned to be built on the southwest edge of the property but has been moved to the northwest edge after soil samples were taken in recent months. The latest plans include the addition of a satellite ice rink and a fan zone aimed to create a vibrant and engaging atmosphere for visitors year-round. Also included is a multi-level golf hitting bay at the current Grand Bay location.

The plan was announced in September 2023 and is still awaiting a ground breaking.

GSR management said the Reno Arena project is an important milestone in its ongoing $1 billion private capital investment.

Meruelo recently sold his NHL team, the Arizona Coyotes, to the NHL for $1 billion with the option of getting an expansion franchise in Phoenix. However, he turned over the rights to that franchise this month when the land auction where he was hoping to build an arena was canceled. That has led a shift in focus to completing the Reno project, which originally had a timeline for a 2026-27 opening. No timeline was outlined in GSR’s announcement Thursday.

The Nevada women’s basketball team will still call Lawlor Events Center home.

Watch the latest video of the proposal below: