The facilities arms race in college sports just got a jolt.
The Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, announced a $1 billion capital improvements project which includes a new 10,000-seat arena for the University of Nevada Reno’s men’s and women’s basketball teams.
The plans call for a new convention tower and a new hotel with 800 rooms, 300 new residences and upgrades to the resort’s Grand Bay water feature.
And the project includes an aquatic driving range.
“Not in my wildest dreams did I think I could be coaching in an arena and go over for lunch and hit golf balls,” Nevada men’s coach Steve Alford said during the announcement Wednesday in Reno.
Nevada basketball coach Steve Alford jokes, “Not in my wildest dreams did I think I could be coaching in an arena and go over for lunch and hit golf balls. I’ve reached heaven. In a long list of coaching places, I’m in coaching heaven.” pic.twitter.com/eHXEQniCbr
— Nevada Sports Net (@NevadaSportsNet) September 27, 2023
Officially, the details in the press release regarding the driving range with colored targets in the water call for “a comprehensive beautification of Grand Bay into a multi-floor hitting bay with scenic walking path and captivating water show in the current aquatic driving range.”
The Grand Sierra Resort is owned by Alex Meruelo, who counts the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes among his many business ventures.
According to our network partner the Reno Gazette-Journal, the Nevada System of Higher Education, as well as a casino spokeswoman, confirmed that no university funds or taxpayer dollars would be used for the basketball venue’s construction.
No word on an exact opening date for the driving range but the arena will be set to open in the fall of 2026. Christopher Abraham, vice president of marketing, sales and entertainment for the Grand Sierra Resort, told the Reno Gazette-Journal they plan to go after Taylor Swift and Beyoncé to hold concerts there.