University of Nevada basketball could have a new home in 3 years under a major casino expansion plan
The University of Nevada’s basketball team could have a new off-campus home by 2026 under an ambitious 10-year expansion plan that Reno’s largest hotel-casino has in the works
RENO, Nev. — The University of Nevada’s basketball team could have a new off-campus home by 2026 under an ambitious 10-year expansion plan that Reno’s largest hotel-casino announced Wednesday.
The estimated $1 billion private capital investment will be the biggest in the city's history, according to officials of the Grand Sierra Resort and Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve.
In addition to the new 10,000-seat sports, concert and special events arena, the expansion plans for the 140-acre (57-hectare) property include a new 800-room hotel tower, 300 “affordable” riverfront residential units to help address workforce housing shortages, a golf center and Las Vegas-like water shows in addition to other upgrades, the company said.
“The vision is to transform GSR into a destination where community, sports and entertainment come together,” resort owner Alex Mereulo, who also is the majority owner of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, said during a news conference Wednesday.
Mereulo and University of Nevada President Brian Sandoval confirmed they've been exploring a partnership for some time between the resort and the basketball team, «which could make the arena their home beginning with the fall 2026 season.”
They said no public money will be involved in the financing.
“The investment will be at least $1 billion,” Mereulo told a crowd of more than 100 at the formal announcement Wednesday in a nightclub just off the casino floor as a dozen Nevada cheerleaders cheered. “This will be the home of the Wolf Pack.”
The new arena would cover approximately 300,000 square feet
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