GSR files application for arena, major expansion with city of Reno

The Grand Sierra Resort’s expansion plans took a key step after the hotel-casino submitted its master application for the project.

The pre-planning application was filed Monday with the city of Reno, which included a 45-page document detailing the GSR’s planned improvements.

The current scope of work under the application includes:

• A 10,000-seat multi-use arena
• A community ice rink
• A casino connector
• A seven-level parking garage
• Site improvements such as a fan zone and VIP parking lot to complement the new facilities.

The application for the project details plans for additional parking at GSR to accommodate the new arena and a 500-seat “practice rink.” The expansion project, which will wipe out most of the existing parking on the northwest corner of GSR, will add 2,386 new parking spaces per the city’s zoning code, according to the application.

The GSR first announced plans in September for its expansion project, which will include a new arena that will serve as the new home for the Nevada Wolf Pack basketball team. It also announced last month that the arena is eyeing a 2027 opening date .

“The plan is to break ground next spring as soon as the weather allows and we have all the approvals we need,” said Andrew Diss, senior vice-president and chief strategy officer for Meruelo Gaming, in a July email to the RGJ.

“Construction should be completed within 20 months, which puts it at a 2027 opening.”

In addition to hosting the University of Nevada, Reno, men’s basketball team, the GSR could also become the new home for the Tucson Roadrunners minor league hockey team, according to sports business news site Sportico . GSR owner Alex Meruelo retained ownership of the Roadrunners after selling the Phoenix Coyotes NHL hockey team in April for $1.2 billion.

This article originally appeared on Reno Gazette Journal: GSR files application for arena, major expansion with city of Reno