Renovations to Bankers Life Fieldhouse will add a new outdoor plaza that will be converted into a skating rink in the winter, expand the entry pavilion and remove the top eight rows of seating on the east and west ends of the arena to create observation decks and open gathering spaces.

The renovations, which include $295 million in public money, are set to start next February and be completed October 2022, displacing the Indiana Fever for at least the next two seasons.

Phase one of the renovation project begins on Feb. 1, 2020. It focuses on minor interior renovations during the second half of the Pacers season and continues through October 1, 2020.

Phase two takes place after the 2021 NBA All-Star game and runs until Dec. 31, 2021. It will include the entry pavilion expansion and exterior construction — including the removal of the parking garage north of the stadium — along with suite improvements.

Phase three runs from Jan.1, 2022 and runs through Oct. 22, 2022. During the final phase, the Fieldhouse will be closed for approximately 60 days during the summer.

Each construction phase will take place predominantly during the summer months, forcing the Fever to find a temporary home during the next two full seasons and part of the 2022 season.

Temporary relocation is not a new concept in the WNBA. Renovations forced the Atlanta Dream to play their 2017 and 2018 seasons at Georgia Tech and the Seattle Storm are playing their regular season games at the University of Washington's Alaska Airlines Arena this season.

Brent Rockwood, senior vice president of corporate, community and public relations for Pacers Sports & Entertainment, said there would be no “major events” hosted at the Fieldhouse during the summer months for the next two years. Rockwood also said that they’re “engaged in discussions to figure out where (the Fever) will play in a nearby facility.”

The renovations will not affect Pacers home games or have any effect on the 2021 NBA All-Star Game.

“The Fieldhouse is a cornerstone of our city and state, so it’s serving as a widely used and versatile public gathering space and it helps to retain and attract people, businesses and events,” Rockwood said. “… It’s a great thing for our city and state overall in addition to keeping the Pacers and Fever here for the long term.

“This is an investment in the city and state. You think of long-term, the Fieldhouse has incredible bones as a structure, so we’re thinking through the next 25 years of the Fieldhouse and what needs to be done to keep pace with the evolving needs of our fans and guests and keeping it as a world-class sports and entertainment facility."

Follow IndyStar sports reporter Robby General on @rgeneraljr. Contact him via email at rgeneral@gannett.com.