TEMPE, Ariz. — Design firm Ellerbe Becket has completed an expansion and renovation study of Arizona State University’s Wells Fargo Arena. The conceptual study, presented to the school’s athletic department, will guide school officials as they consider US $9 million in additions and renovations to the 25-year-old arena.

The study examined a Wells Fargo Arena renovation and an Olympic Training Center addition. Considerations include:

Wells Fargo Arena

• Improved overall fan experience
• Expanded concourses to ease congestion
• Improved concourse wayfinding (new signage and better ability for fans to orient themselves)
• Additional fan amenities (concessions, retail, interactive games and novelties)
• Expand and renovate Olympic Sports locker rooms
• Updated appearance of court, seating styles and colors throughout the arena
• Possible premium seating sections in arena seating bowl

Olympic Training Center

• Improved student athlete experience
• Addition of a 29,000- sq.ft. to 30,000-sq.ft. (2,694 m² to 2,787 m²) Olympic Training Center adjacent to the existing Wells Fargo Arena to house practice facilities for gymnastics, volleyball and wrestling — an open and inviting space for student athletes and fans Olympic Training Center connection to Wells Fargo Arena via tunnel with plaza area between the two buildings
  
• Concourse and seating bowl upgrades will improve the fan experience, according to Ellerbe Becket Project Designer Michael Jacobs, “We want to encourage fans to come early and stay late by creating some ‘milling-about space’ both indoors and outdoors for fans to take advantage of enhanced concessions and novelties”

One of the challenges of a Wells Fargo addition and renovation project is to upgrade fan amenities while preserving the collegiate experience. Ellerbe Becket has successfully achieved that balance on campuses across the country, including renovation of the hallowed Notre Dame Football Stadium. Most recently, the firm completed arena renovations at the University of California-Berkeley and the University of Nevada at Las Vegas in time for the 1999-2000 basketball season. Even closer to ASU, Ellerbe Becket designed professional venues Bank One Ballpark, award-winning Maryvale Baseball Park and America West Arena in Phoenix.

An innovator since its founding, Ellerbe Becket provides integrated architecture, engineering, interiors, planning and construction services from 12 office locations worldwide. The firm celebrated its 90th anniversary in 1999.