Photos by Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71
Bon Secours Wellness Arena 650 N Academy St Greenville, SC 29601
Year Opened: 1998
Capacity: 13,951
"The Well" Turns 25
The Greenville Swamp Rabbits moved to Greenville, South Carolina, from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in 2010. The team was known as the Road Warriors until 2015. They were rechristened as the Swamp Rabbits. The name is local, as it refers to a defunct rail line that had run through the city of Greenville. The team plays in the ECHL’s Southern Division of the Eastern Conference.
The Swamp Rabbits are an affiliate of the NHL Los Angeles Kings. They have gone to the ECHL playoffs several times, but have yet to win a league title. The team has fierce rivalries with the South Carolina Stingrays and the Atlanta Gladiators in the ECHL.
The Bon Secours Wellness Arena in downtown Greenville serves as the home of the Swamp Rabbits. It was built in 1998 and was formerly known as the Bi-Lo Center. The arena changed names in 2013 as a part of a naming rights agreement with the local hospital system. These days it is known as simply “The Well.” The arena seats 15,951 in its hockey configuration. It is the largest arena in the Upstate portion of South Carolina, and the second-largest arena in the state overall. There are 30 luxury suites and 840 club seats in the venue.
Food & Beverage 4
Bon Secours Wellness Arena offers a wider selection of concession items than most minor league hockey arenas. All concessions at Bon Secours are located at the concourse level. Stands include Mac Attack, Swamp Dog, Carolina Smoke BBQ, the Piedmont Grill, The Reedy River Roost, and Moe’s Southwestern Grill. Pepsi brand products are offered at all stands.
For the most part, the concessions are your typical stadium/arena fare. However, we did enjoy The Fried Green Tomato and Pimento Cheese Burger at the Piedmont Grill and the chicken and waffles at The Reedy River Roost.
The arena offers two bars with sightlines to the action on the ice. They are Harley’s Motor Lounge and the Wicked Weed Green Room. The Craft Beer Station offers a selection of more than two dozen craft beers.
All concession stands operate on a cashless basis.
Atmosphere 3
Bon Secours Wellness Arena is an above-average facility for this level of hockey. It offers multiple entrances, a wide and well-lit concourse, excellent signage and well-staffed concession stands with a wide variety of menu items.
The seating bowl offers excellent views of the action on the ice, and the center-hung videoboard constantly provides updated game stats and replays of the action on the ice. Seating is very comfortable.
What brings down our score in this category is the attendance at Swamp Rabbits games. The average attendance for Swamp Rabbit games is 3,786. In an arena that seats 15,591, that means only 23% of the seats are filled regularly. While that means that you will have plenty of room to move around, it takes away the energy from the game, especially when the Swamp Rabbits are on a power play or score a goal. For most games, the Swamp Rabbits do not even open the upper level of seats. Since there is only one price for tickets, it does not matter where you sit.
Neighborhood 4
Bon Secours Wellness Arena is located in Downtown Greenville. It is surrounded by the best the city has to offer as far as accommodations, restaurants, and local attractions. Hotels within walking distance of the arena include the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Greenville Downtown and the Courtyard Marriott Downtown Greenville.
There are two drinking establishments close to the arena. Fireforge Crafted Beer and Yee-haw Brewing are just a few blocks from the Bon Secours Arena. The arena is also located near the Children’s Museum of the Upstate, the Greenville Zoo, and the very popular Falls Park on the Reedy. Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen is a very popular restaurant near the arena.
Fans 3
Greenville mascot Stomper circulates through the stands throughout the game, firing up the fans and celebrating each Swamp Rabbit goal or a successful killing of a power play when the Swamp Rabbits are shorthanded.
The team also offers a Party on the Plaza on weekends during the warmer weather months. This event includes beer/wine, food, music, and games for the kids.
The low attendance levels at “The Well” for Swamp Rabbits games really does bring down the energy level in the building. This is a shame, as the fans who do attend are very dedicated and knowledgeable about the team.
Access 4
The home of the Swamp Rabbits is easily accessed no matter what direction you are coming from.
From the North: Take I-85 South to I-385 North (Downtown Greenville). Follow I-385 for 6.5 miles and the arena will be on your right.
From the South: Take I-85 North to I-185 North (Downtown Greenville). I-185 becomes Mills Avenue and Church Street. Go three miles and the arena will be on your right.
From the East: Take I-26 North to I-385 North (Downtown Greenville). Follow I-385 for 6.5 miles and the arena will be on your right.
The official Bon Secours Wellness Arena lot is restricted for use by season ticket holders. Several parking decks are located within a few blocks of the arena. They include the Liberty Square Garage, the Common Garage on Beattie Place , and the North Lauren Street Parking Deck. The Downtown Greenville Trolley runs an Arena Events Route beginning 60 minutes before the puck drop. Go to the Swamp Rabbits website for a list of the trolley stops on this route.
Once at the arena, there are three main entrance portals. Doors open one hour before the puck drop. Swamp Rabbits merchandise stands are located adjacent to each entrance. There are eight restrooms located on the concourse level of the arena.
Return on Investment 3
Tickets to Swamp Rabbit games are $26, no matter where you sit in the arena. Many games will have the upper level closed if projected attendance is low.
Parking lots in and around Bon Secours charge a $10 special event parking fee on gameday.
For the most part, the concessions prices are quite reasonable compared to most sports venues.
Extras 5
The Swamp Rabbits have a dance team known as the Rabbetts. They perform between periods and during other breaks in the action.
The Bon Secours Wellness Arena is the primary entertainment venue in Greenville. Among the stars who have played at “the Well” are Blake Shelton, Garth Brooks, Paul McCartney, Eric Church, James Taylor, and Alan Jackson. The arena has also hosted the Women’s SEC Basketball Tournament, rodeos, Cirque Du Soleil, Dancing with the Stars, Monster Jams, WWE wrestling competitions, and the Harlem Globetrotters.
The Bon Secours Wellness Center is well-equipped for fans with special needs. There are plenty of areas along the concourse designated for wheelchair fans. The arena also offers sensory safety kits and a Sensory Suite for fans who are on the spectrum.
The Swamp Rabbits are the second hockey franchise to play at Bon Secours. They were preceded by the Greenville Grrrowl.
Numerous events are being held throughout the 2023-2024 season to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Bon Secours Wellness Arena opening,
Final Thoughts
The Bon Secours Wellness Arena offers a better-than-average experience for almost every type of sports event or concert. Unfortunately, the lack of attendance for Swamp Rabbits games affects the energy level in the building.
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