Bon Secours Wellness Arena

Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Excel23 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Name	Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Caption	Exterior of the arena in 2018
Location	Greenville, South Carolina
Opened	1998
Owner	Greenville County Recreation District
Operator	Spectra by Comcast Spectacor
Capacity	15,000 (approximate)
Surface	Multi-surface
Architect	Odell Associates
Former names	Bi-Lo Center

Bon Secours Wellness Arena is a multi-purpose arena located in Greenville, South Carolina, serving as a regional venue for concerts, sports and community events. Opened in 1998, the facility replaced older local venues and became a focal point for large-scale performances by touring acts, regional sports franchises and national organizations. The arena has hosted events involving entertainers, leagues and civic institutions from across the United States and internationally.

History

The arena opened in 1998 during a period of downtown revitalization in Greenville, South Carolina, reflecting municipal and county collaboration with private promoters such as AEG, Live Nation Entertainment and later operators including Spectra by Comcast Spectacor. Early headline performers included touring residencies tied to acts like Garth Brooks, Elton John, Cher and Bruce Springsteen, while sporting tenants and events connected it to organizations such as the ECHL, American Hockey League, ECAC and the National Hockey League through exhibition contests. The venue underwent naming sponsorship changes from corporate retailers and healthcare systems, aligning with corporations such as Bi-Lo, Bon Secours Health System and local stakeholders like the Greenville County Council. Over time the arena hosted national competitions affiliated with bodies like USA Gymnastics, NCAA regional tournaments, and touring family shows promoted by companies including Disney on Ice and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

Design and Facilities

Designed by Odell Associates with construction influenced by contemporary arena design trends tied to projects like Pinnacle Bank Arena and Bon Secours Wellness Arena (comparison not allowed), the building includes a bowl seating arrangement, luxury suites, club-level lounges and back-of-house spaces adaptable for ice hockey, basketball, concert staging and conventions. The arena's technical infrastructure supports sound systems and lighting used by productions associated with companies such as Clear Channel Communications and touring production crews for artists like Madonna, Taylor Swift, Metallica and Beyoncé Knowles; stage rigging and floor systems accommodate conversions for ice installations used by franchises and exhibitions tied to the ECHL and NHL preseason showcases. Hospitality amenities serve corporate clients, universities such as Clemson University and University of South Carolina when they stage events in the market, and visiting delegations from organizations like USA Basketball and Special Olympics.

Events and Tenants

The arena has hosted primary tenants and recurring events spanning multiple leagues and promoters, including concerts by major touring artists, family entertainment productions, and sporting franchises. Professional sports associations that have used the venue include franchises connected with the ECHL and exhibition events involving NHL clubs, while collegiate events have aligned with the NCAA tournament selection for early-round regional play and conference championships involving teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference. The venue has been a site for touring theatre companies, corporate commencements for institutions such as Furman University and Bob Jones University, televised specials produced by broadcasters like ESPN and Fox Sports, and civic programming associated with entities such as the United Way and Chamber of Commerce-sponsored galas.

Attendance and Economic Impact

Attendance figures reflect a mix of single-event sellouts for headline concerts by acts such as The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and U2 alongside season-ticket bases for sports tenants and one-off conventions. Economic impact studies conducted by county and municipal partners estimate the arena drives lodging, dining and retail activity benefitting nearby properties including downtown hotels, restaurants and the Greenville Convention Center; visitor spending linked to marquee events often involves partnerships with regional tourism agencies such as Visit Greenville and statewide bodies like South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism. The arena’s role in attracting conventions and regional competitions has been cited in economic development materials produced by the Greenville Area Development Corporation and local chambers.

Renovations and Upgrades

Since opening, the facility has undergone periodic capital improvements addressing seating, concessions, hospitality suites and technology platforms used by production partners such as Comcast and audiovisual firms working for touring acts. Upgrades have included scoreboard and LED ribbon installations similar to improvements seen at venues managed by ASM Global and AEG Facilities, expanded premium seating options to attract corporate clients tied to regional employers like BMW Group (BMW Manufacturing), and infrastructure investments to improve accessibility in compliance with standards promoted by organizations such as the ADA and event-sanctioning bodies like the NCAA.

Transportation and Access

Located in downtown Greenville, South Carolina, the arena is accessible from interstate corridors including Interstate 85 and serviced by local transit operated by Greenlink (Greenville County) with event-time shuttles linking nearby parking, hotels and the Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport. Pedestrian connections to the Greenville County Museum of Art, the Peace Center and the Reedy River area integrate the arena into downtown arts and hospitality districts frequented by visitors attending events, while ride-hailing services and regional transit options support access for large crowds.

Category:Sports venues in South Carolina Category:Buildings and structures in Greenville, South Carolina