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Chicago Ideas Week tours Wintrust Arena

Oct. 26, 2017

During Chicago Ideas Week 2017, DePaul hosted a Lab that gave participants a behind-the-scenes tour of Wintrust Arena led by the building's architects - from Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects and Moody Nolan - and Bob Janis, vice president of Facilities Operations. Participants also heard from representatives from DePaul Athletics and the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, watched part of a men's basketball practice, walked onto the basketball court and took shots on the new hoops. The tour was part of the week-long, city-wide series of events bringing thinkers and instigators together to share ideas and make an impact in the world.

DePaul hosted the Lab at Wintrust Arena on Oct. 19 as part of the university's sponsorship of Chicago Ideas Week, the annual festival of events that inspire, entertain and spark action. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

Mitchell Hirsch, principal architect for Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, speaks to attendees in the atrium of Wintrust Arena during a sneak peek tour. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

Renauld Mitchell, partner and director of operations in Chicago and Washington for Moody Nolan, told attendees about how the arena was designed and constructed. He was joined by Troy Sherrard (right) from Moody Nolan. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

Mitchell Hirsch, principal architect for Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, left, and Bob Janis, vice president of facility operations, lead attendees into DePaul's basketball suite. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

Bob Janis, vice president of facility operations, bottom right, talks about the design and amenities in the basketball suite. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

Attendees explore the women's basketball locker room during a sneak peek of Wintrust Arena, the new home of the DePaul Blue Demons basketball. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

Bob Janis, vice president of facility operations, far right, answers questions about the women's basketball locker room. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

Attendees explore the weight room during the Chicago Ideas Week tour. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

Jean Lenti Ponsetto, athletics director, far right, talks about DePaul's 2017-18 team and their hopes for the upcoming basketball season. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

DePaul basketball players, Pantelis Xidias, bottom left, and Joe Hanel, top left, greet attendees. The tour was part of Chicago Ideas week 2017, a week-long, city-wide series of events intended to bring a broad spectrum of thinkers and instigators together to share ideas and make an impact in the world. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

DePaul basketball player Eli Cain, left, greets an attendee. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

Dave Leitao, men's basketball head coach, talks about the impact the new arena will have on DePaul basketball in the future. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

DePaul basketball player Pantelis Xidias, left, helps attendee Stephanie Emrich shoot baskets during a sneak peek of the new Wintrust Arena. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

Attendees had the opportunity to shoot hoops with DePaul players at the conclusion of the tour. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

Mitchell Hirsch, principal architect for Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, shows off his shooting skills. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)

The new Wintrust Arena opened to the public Oct. 14 and is a state-of-the-art entertainment center in Chicago's South Loop. The arena is the newest home to DePaul University men's and women's basketballs teams, as well as Chicago's WNBA team, the Chicago Sky. (DePaul University/Jeff Carrion)