Welsh-Ryan Arena Renovation

Project Status: COMPLETED

Construction Start: March 2017
Completion: October 2018

Project Description and Statistics

Welsh-Ryan Arena, (located at 2705 Ashland Ave Evanston, IL 60208) the home of Northwestern University’s basketball, volleyball and wrestling teams, will be transformed as a result of a complete facility renovation. A leadership gift from Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan, along with a $10 million gift from Stephen R. and Susan K. Wilson, donations from other loyal Northwestern benefactors and the existing athletics maintenance and equipment budget, will fund the $110-plus million project.

Simply stated, this is a historic moment for the future of Northwestern Athletics,” said Jim Phillips, vice president for athletics and recreation. “There are no greater champions for Northwestern than Pat and Shirley Ryan. We never will appropriately convey our gratitude for their vision and generosity, which have made a seismic impact on our University and generations of students. In addition, we are also incredibly appreciative of Steve and Sue Wilson’s continued unconditional support and leadership; they are truly two of our very best Wildcats.”

Construction Site Live Web Cam

The project, part of the master athletics facilities plan recommendation, will entail a complete renovation of Welsh-Ryan Arena and McGaw Memorial Hall, including:

  • New seating throughout the arena, with chair-back seats replacing existing wood bleachers
  • Wider, more accessible concourses with improved lighting to alleviate congestion
  • Improved accessibility for the mobility-impaired, with five new elevators replacing the existing one
  • New restrooms, doubling the number of toilet fixtures as well as the addition of accessible family restrooms
  • New concession areas with twice as many point-of-sale stations to increase efficiency, along with new food and drink offerings
  • State-of-the-art lighting, audio and video capabilities in the arena
  • Premium seating areas and expansion of the N-Club, which provides space for pre- and post-game events, by more than 400 percent. The club, which is located on the second floor, will be extended south onto Randy Walker Terrace at Ryan Field and provide expanded hospitality opportunities on football game days.
  • Expansion of the building lobby by nearly 50 percent
  • A new ticket office
  • New locker rooms for men’s basketball, women’s basketball and volleyball
  • New offices for men’s and women’s basketball
  • Expansion of usable court space in both the main arena and fieldhouse.

Construction on McGaw Memorial Hall, in which Welsh-Ryan Arena is located, was started in 1951 and completed in 1953. In the early 1980s, aided by a leadership gift from the Ryans, the basketball arena was renovated and named in honor of the parents of Mr. and Mrs. Ryan. Additional improvements have been made to the building since that time, but this project will be the first top-to-bottom renovation of the entire structure since its original construction.

Project Team

Project Management

Bonnie Humphrey, Director of Design
Dave Stone, Director for Construction
Steven Himes, Project Manager

Construction Manager

Mortenson Construction

Architect, Engineers & Consultants

Architect: HOK
Construction Manager: Mortenson Construction
Structural Engineer: Thorton Tomasetti
Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing Engineer: AEI Affiliated Engineers, Inc.
Fire Protection: Primera Engineers
Civil Engineer: SmithGroup/JJR
Landscape: SmithGroup/JJR
Code Consultants: Howe Engineers
Inclusive Design Consultant: LCM Architects
Audio Visual: WJHW
LEED Consultant: Ecoworks Studio
Food Service Consultant: S2O Consultants
Cost Consultant: The Concord Group

Contact Information

All inquiries should be directed to:

Steven Himes, Project Manager
Northwestern University
Facilities Design & Construction
2020 Ridge Avenue, Suite 250
Evanston, IL 60208
Phone: 847-467-3416
steven.himes@northwestern.edu