Plans approved for Wells Fargo Arena renovations, new ASU hockey home
Feb 8, 2018, 6:52 PM | Updated: 7:19 pm
(Flickr/John M. Quick)
(Flickr/John M. Quick)
The Arizona Board of Regents has approved renovation plans for Wells Fargo Arena and plans for a new multi-purpose arena, according to 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Craig Morgan.
The projects are part of ASU’s annual $590 million capital development plan and would include a reconstruction of the entire lower bowl of Wells Fargo Arena. Some of the planned changes include redesigns to the pathways to make them wider and restrooms will be enhanced, according to Cronkite News.
Per the executive summary in late January, the 175,000 square-foot arena would seat 5,000 spectators for hockey, wrestling and gymnastics, and would include 250-to-300 club, and 48 loge seats.
The new arena is expected to be completed in time for the 2020-21 season. Wells Fargo Arena’s renovations should be completed by the summer of 2021.
The arena would give the Sun Devils hockey team a true home, as they are currently playing their home games at Oceanside Ice Arena. The location’s capacity is nearly 1,000. ASU does play some of their more notable games at Gila River Arena in Glendale.
Arizona State’s men’s hockey team moved to Division I for the 2015-16 season, playing as an independent. There are currently 60 Division I hockey schools.
The arena would be located just north of Wells Fargo Arena, adjacent to the arboretum. The estimated cost of the two projects is $160 million, per the summary, all of which would be financed.
