Published on: February 24, 2026, 09:23h.
Updated on: February 24, 2026, 09:23h.
- Grand Sierra Resort is planning a $14.7 million investment for the redevelopment of its golf driving range.
- Grand Sierra is undertaking a two-phase expansion project estimated to cost nearly $1 billion.
Grand Sierra Resort aims to establish itself as the premier spot for gaming and sports in the “Biggest Little City in the World.” The resort is also focusing on attracting golfers for their Reno golf getaways to enjoy their offerings managed by the Meruelo Group.
Billionaire Alex Meruelo is fully committed to the Grand Sierra project. Last fall, the influential entrepreneur, also known for owning the Sahara on the Las Vegas Strip, initiated a massive $1 billion expansion at this Reno destination.
With the support of over $60 million in local tax incentives, Meruelo is establishing the Reno Arena at the resort—a $435 million sports venue and community ice rink that will host the Nevada Wolf Pack men’s basketball team. Designed to accommodate 10,000 attendees, this facility will also host major events ranging from concerts to NCAA March Madness.
As construction on the arena is underway, Meruelo has filed plans to renovate the property’s aqua driving range, where golfers hit into floating island greens.
$15 Million Golf Range Development
The Grand Sierra Resort is applying for a construction permit to upgrade its outdated Grand Bay Driving Range into a facility similar to Topgolf. Currently, the Grand Bay Driving Range boasts 38 hitting bays and eight floating island greens on a body of water located south of the resort’s outdoor pool complex.
The resort aims to invest $14.7 million in a new three-story, 90-bay driving range that will include food and beverage options, branded “Splash Golf.”
“You may know Topgolf, but here you will hit into water. We had to reach out far and wide to find a company capable of tracking shots over water, and we found one,” said Shannon Keel, the Grand Sierra Resort’s general manager, during the ceremonial groundbreaking of the Reno Arena on September 30.
“Who doesn’t enjoy hitting balls into water? Unless you’re on a golf course, that is,” Keel humorously remarked.
While Reno lacks a true outdoor Topgolf venue, the indoor Topgolf Swing Suite simulators are offered at Caesars Entertainment’s Silver Legacy.
Major Expansion Plans
After the completion of the $435 million Reno Arena and the $14.7 million Splash Golf venture, Meruelo intends to initiate an investment exceeding half a billion dollars to construct a new hotel tower at Grand Sierra. This expansion will incorporate a number of hotel rooms, additional retail space, and affordable workforce housing.
When Meruelo announced his ambitious $1 billion initiative to revamp the Grand Sierra Resort in September 2023, it was recognized as the largest private investment project in the history of the city.
Meruelo isn’t alone in his optimism for Reno; Jacobs Entertainment is also making substantial investments in their J Resort (previously Sands Regency) and the development of the Neon Line.