It also appears that there is a major reflection off of the Devon Tower on the Cox Center.

Big changes unveiled in home of Thunder (http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-chesapeake-arena-changes-unveiled-20111011,0,1287834.story)

Jesse Wells Reporting KFOR-TV

4:40 p.m. CDT, October 11, 2011

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Big league improvements are coming inside the home of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tuesday we got our first look at the latest renovations at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.

With a new name and video screen, the outside has changed a lot over the last few months; inside it's the same story.

The changes in the main concourse are hard to miss.

So happy these changes are in place for what may well turn out to be an expanded season for concerts, truck shows, wrasslitainment and religious retreats/donation drives.

Uncertain picture for Chesapeake Energy Arena: Venue on hold during NBA lockout
By Brianna Bailey
Journal Record
Oklahoma City reporter - Contact 405-278-2847
Posted: 07:25 PM Tuesday, October 11, 2011

OKLAHOMA CITY – The latest round of renovations at the Chesapeake Energy Arena include a massive video cylinder at the northeast entrance powered by eight movie projectors, as well as a 74-foot-wide outdoor LED screen.

It remains uncertain when the Oklahoma City Thunder will play its first game in the remodeled space as the NBA lockout continues.

“I think it’s really going to affect our part-time workers, vendors and suppliers the most,” said Gary Desjardins, general manager for SMG, which operates the arena and the Cox Convention Center.

The lockout has resulted in fewer work hours for some of SMG’s 700 part-time workers who staff events, he said.

SMG has been utilizing its 112 full-time employees for events instead of part-time workers to avoid staff reductions, Desjardins said.

Officials announced the cancelation of the first two weeks of the regular 2011-2012 NBA season on Monday. The Chesapeake Energy Arena will miss out on two Thunder home games as a result, on top of the four preseason home games that have already been canceled.

The arena does have several big concerts lined up for the venue in the coming months, but it’s difficult to schedule events if dates for the NBA season keep getting canceled two weeks at a time, said Tim Linville, director of sales and marketing for SMG.

SMG has had a few event organizers put second-holds on dates reserved for NBA games in case more games get canceled.
However, the arena continues to hold all of the dates that have been reserved for Thunder games, as well as additional playoff dates, Desjardins said.

Crews were busy setting up for a Chris Brown concert on Wednesday night. Taylor Swift is scheduled to perform before a nearly sold-out crowd at the arena on Saturday.

The third phase of the renovations include significant improvements to the main concourse, including 20 wedge-shaped video boards containing six 46-inch television screens placed throughout the halls. The concourse also has a new ceiling and paint, terrazzo floors and way-finding signs featuring the new Chesapeake Energy Arena logo.

The upgrades will put the arena into the top tier of NBA arenas in the country, Desjardins said.

“This is going to be a great marketing and advertising tool,” he said.

The renovations are part of a third phase of an ongoing, $100 million overhaul of the arena paid for by a 1-cent sales tax voters approved in 2008.

The new grand entryway of the remodeled arena is slated for completion in June 2012 and will include a three-story atrium, and a family fun zone.

Good to hear the family fun zone is back (maybe it never dropped but cant recall hearing anything about it in a while). Does anyone know if the rooftop party area or whatever it was being called has happened/is happening?

I've been by the arena 3 or 4 times within the last two weeks and it really looks terrific, making the arena look new again. The CHK signage is a perfect fit for the building, 100% improvement over the old Ford Center design, you really need to see it for yourself. Also the video board looks amazing and I can't wait to see it during the NBA season especially at night for the playoffs with the Myriad gardens and Devon building all lit up in the background.

The board is bigger in person. A LOT bigger in person. It's also extremely bright!

I was downtown a few nights ago, the board was lighting up FNC, the Colcord, and other buildings in line of sight to it. Not making it daytime, but you could notice the light reflecting off the downtown buildings from the board.

Personally I don't think there should be much regulation on them, but hopefully the City isn't in any violation of our own sign ordinance(s) for these types of displays (size/brightness/how often the message changes etc)...LOL

Photos from today's Oklahoman:

http://photos.newsok.com/2/showimage/1534246/gallery_large?recordView=0

http://photos.newsok.com/2/showimage/1534245/gallery_large?recordView=0

http://photos.newsok.com/2/showimage/1534247/gallery_large?recordView=0

http://photos.newsok.com/2/showimage/1534248/gallery_large?recordView=0

http://photos.newsok.com/2/showimage/1534238/gallery_large?recordView=0

http://photos.newsok.com/2/showimage/1534242/gallery_large?recordView=0

http://photos.newsok.com/2/showimage/1534237/gallery_large?recordView=0

Wow. All the new video boards are an impressive upgrade. It really is a shame there may not be any Thunder games. Let's hope they get something done...

The dropped ceiling, terrazzo, stacked stone columns and stainless columns in the concourse make all the difference in the world. The courtside club, terrace suite and locker room renovations done 1-1/2 years ago or whenever HAD to be done to bring it up to NBA standards, but they aren't seen by 90% of the public. The club level was always nice. Improvements to the club level are great, but weren't critical.

But the old concourse level was frankly embarrassing. Everyone from Benham to Flintco to the City to SMG to the Thunder made the best of it, but it was painfully obvious that was where a lot of the value engineering was done when the building was originally built so inexpensively. The fact that the concourse is where most fans experience the non-seating portion of the arena made it doubly-embarrassing. A city's arena is often how many visitors experience a city for the first time, and leaves a lasting impression.

I've been to the TD Garden in Boston, Staples in LA, Pepsi in Denver, FedEx in Memphis, US Airways in Phoenix and American Airlines in Dallas. From what I see here, the Chesapeake Arena will be at least the equal (interior finish-wise) to all of those, with the obvious exception of Dallas, which cost nearly half a billion and is totally over-the-top. Now it will have the same high visual appeal that the rest of downtown is acquiring thanks to P180, Devon Tower and the other great things going on. I'm going to be proud to have it as one of the front doors to our city.

Video...

Improved Chesapeake Energy Arena has ‘wow' factor (http://newsok.com/improved-chesapeake-energy-arena-has-wow-factor/article/3612581)

By Darnell Mayberry, Staff Writer, dmayberry@opubco.com
Published: October 11, 2011

Before you get both feet inside the doors of Chesapeake Energy Arena, a video cylinder spanning 92 feet around commands your eye.
Bust a right, march toward the 100-level concourse and everything, from lighting to signage to the floor and ceiling, is brighter, crisper and cleaner than before.

It would be amazing if another screen was added to the south side of the arena facing the (for now) highway...

It would be amazing if another screen was added to the south side of the arena facing the (for now) highway...

I think they are building the southside entrance with this in mind as a possibility for the future. There ended up only being money for one screen, but they would like them on both sides eventually...

With the postponement of the season, does anyone think this will allow the builders of the grand entrance an opportunity to move ahead of schedule?

With the postponement of the season, does anyone think this will allow the builders of the grand entrance an opportunity to move ahead of schedule?

It looks as if they're doing the majority of the construction without breaking through to the interior, so I'm not sure the delay in the start of the season really will affect the timeline that much.

I love driving eastbound by the Thunderdome:) at night everyday with the completed lighting around the top, Myriad gardens lit up to the north, Boat Alley lit up to the south... OKC is beginning to develope a new image! Skydance is going to be an amazing luminated addition.

I know I have already commented on how impressed I am with the exterior signage / video improvements, but again I was driving along Reno and it looks amazing all around the CHK arena. It is amazing how much of an improvement good signage and a video board has done for this building. Also the P180 street-scape improvements, with the new Myriad Gardens all tie together beautifully with the CHKA. It's almost as if I never really noticed how close the Myriad Gardens actually are to the home of the Thunder. I can easily see myself strolling through the park on the way to events at the CHKA.

All this being said and we have only seen the half of it. We haven't fully seen the interior and we are only a couple more years away from seeing how the south side of the arena will tie into a new Okc Blvd. The Okc future is bright!!

nm

nm

Good point.

nm

What about New Mexico?

Well I guess OKC will have a top tier arena after all is finished. There's not going to be that many arenas around the US nicer than this one. Money well spent IMO.

First photo I've seen that shows the sign painted on the roof:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6056/6214401623_46ebcc6576.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nashcreative/6214401623/)
Chesapeake Energy Arena (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nashcreative/6214401623/) by nash.zach (http://www.flickr.com/people/nashcreative/), on Flickr

Driving by the other morning, the upper ring on the East portion of the building was all lit up a deep brilliant blue, like the Chesapeake flame......was very impressive, compared to the old FC.

Great photo from a week ago shows the progress on the new SW entrance:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6217/6300010646_9246629fc3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nashcreative/6300010646/)
Chesapeake Energy Arena (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nashcreative/6300010646/) by nash.zach (http://www.flickr.com/people/nashcreative/), on Flickr

The more I think about it the more ridiculous it is that the grand entrance faces that direction. It'll be years before there's significant development to the south of the arena. Most people are still going to enter on the north side of the arena. Just doesn't make sense unless development was already planned and started... Please tell me why I'm wrong because I hope someone thought through this better than I did?!?

Great pic though. Thanks!

The more I think about it the more ridiculous it is that the grand entrance faces that direction. It'll be years before there's significant development to the south of the arena. Most people are still going to enter on the north side of the arena. Just doesn't make sense unless development was already planned and started... Please tell me why I'm wrong because I hope someone thought through this better than I did?!?

You're wrong because I said so!

In all seriousness though, we share the same opinion. Anyone care to elaborate for Kilgore and I?

You're wrong because I said so!

In all seriousness though, we share the same opinion. Anyone care to elaborate for Kilgore and I?

I'm not sure I understand what the development of the surrounding area necessarily has to to with where people will be entering from. The areas where people park will be a major deciding factor in that unless they go to eat first. There aren't many restaurants on the North side unless you count the hotels. I agree that the South side was the best area for the major new entrance enhancments. In the big scale of things, though, it's not that important which side it's on, it's just something else for people to disagree about.

The more I think about it the more ridiculous it is that the grand entrance faces that direction. It'll be years before there's significant development to the south of the arena. Most people are still going to enter on the north side of the arena. Just doesn't make sense unless development was already planned and started... Please tell me why I'm wrong because I hope someone thought through this better than I did?!?

1. It will look better from the new boulevard to people driving by rather than staring at the back of the arena.

2. It has other functions besides being an entrance. There are also offices, family fun zone, and expand locker rooms.

3. There isn't enough room on the property to build it anywhere else.

4. The new park is going to be across the street.

5. Chicken or the egg? A new entrance certainly isn't going to impede business development. Its more likely to help make the area more favorable to businesses. It gives people the option of quickly going south in the future if they want to. Plus, number 1 comes to play in that people would prefer not staring at the back of the arena.

.. Anyone care to elaborate for Kilgore and I?

Because it's not really for you or I. It's for the children, and their children. Why, when your children's children are here, they can drive you by and tell them this is where the NBA got its start in OKC, though you remember having to use the back door. And never they mind it'll be a place for third hand craft shows ... just make them understand it was really something back in 2012.

And to add, the new I40 opens next year folks, and the old will be torn down soon after. Don't the too short term sighted.

Now my life feels complete. Pat yourselves on the back please.

Does anyone know if the Restaurant inside is done/going to be done soon?
I know they completely ripped out the Old #7.
We always went there at halftime the home games; If they have games..

I believe it's going to be an Iron Starr BBQ unless that's changed

Found this on the Chesapeake Arena's Facebook page. The image caption says:
"Location of the new Center Court Grill and Old No. 7 Club."

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=199684416769803&set=pu.166230966781815&type=1&theater

Link: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=199684416769803&set=pu.166230966781815&type=1&theater

Taken 9 Dec 2011:

Imagine there's no bridge...soon a reality
http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/9960/dsc0091ff.jpg

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/2219/dsc0084bm.jpg

http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/4536/dsc0088sq.jpg

I get a tour of the arena on the 18th. I'll take notes.

I get a tour of the arena on the 18th. I'll take notes.

Better yet take interior pictures

See a few nice interior shots here:
http://www.okcthunderfans.com/vforum/showthread.php?7293-Chesapeake-Energy-Arena-is-the-new-name-of-the-Thunder-s-home-arena&p=99139#post99139

Better yet take interior pictures

I'll see what I can do, but those from Thundercitizen are pretty good.

Anyone hear the TNT announcers poking fun at the new arena name?I like it,doesnt sound bad to me imo!

Anyone hear the TNT announcers poking fun at the new arena name?I like it,doesnt sound bad to me imo!

I heard it. It was pretty cool.

Most ever name sounds strange at first until people get use to it... The NBA team that relocated to OKC is a perfect example. Very few were happy with the name at first, now it only seems right...

Anyone hear the TNT announcers poking fun at the new arena name?I like it,doesnt sound bad to me imo!

Obviously names like Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Quicken Loans Arena, Power Balance Pavillion, Time Warner Cable Arena, and Amway Center are much more cool. LOL

Anyone hear the TNT announcers poking fun at the new arena name?I like it,doesnt sound bad to me imo!

They said they liked the new name. I think the quotes were "It roles off the toung nicely" and "it is better than Ford Center".

Don't some people find the video screen on the arena too bright at night? A friend and I drove by it Chirstmas night and thought so.

You should drive by American Airlines Center in Dallas on a game night... That's blinding!!!

Don't some people find the video screen on the arena too bright at night? A friend and I drove by it Chirstmas night and thought so.

Do you think they say that about the screens in Times Square too? I don't think it's a problem.

Do you think they say that about the screens in Times Square too? I don't think it's a problem.

Maybe someone else thinks it's too bright.

It is extremely large and capable of causing a person to temporarily lose their eyesight when staring into the screen for too long (one person screamed in panic after not being able to see the other night). However, people will have to learn to live with it. For years, OKC has been very dark at night. Now its starting to light up slowly and it will only continue to become brighter and brighter. The screen at the Thunderdome is perfectly fine since it is nowhere near residential buildings and it does not affect the nearby hotel. You think that's bright...wait until you see Devon in all its glory...now that's sensational!

How many sq ft are being added to the Thunderdome? It seems like the renderings of the expansion was shown to be very large compared to current construction appearance. To me, it all look like a facial makeover, so where are the extra space? I know they are adding a new entrance on the south side and its very close to I-40 bridge, so when I look at it, it does not look like much of an expansion...just a minor adjustment to open up an entrance.

Except the fact that the space they are adding also goes vertical. So no, it does not take up as much of a footprint, but square foot wise, you can basically quadruple the ground floor footprint. That's not too shabby of an addition.

I realize this may have been discussed already, but i'm a newb so i dont know how to look around just yet. but when is the estimated time of completiion for the arena?

I realize this may have already been discussed, but when are they expecting the arena to have all the renovations completed?

Sometime around May. Welcome to the board!!

...How many sq ft are being added to the Thunderdome? It seems like the renderings of the expansion was shown to be very large compared to current construction appearance. To me, it all look like a facial makeover, so where are the extra space? I know they are adding a new entrance on the south side and its very close to I-40 bridge, so when I look at it, it does not look like much of an expansion...just a minor adjustment to open up an entrance.

Along with the new front entrance there is the addition to the building for the team offices etc...

Proposed changes to the Ford Center, including an almost 200,000 square foot expansion on the building's southwest corner, were explained to council members this morning. Changes include some items specific to the NBA, like a new locker room complex.

With some of the recent upgrades it might be a good time to update CHK Arena on wikipedia. Pictures still say Ford Center...

With some of the recent upgrades it might be a good time to update CHK Arena on wikipedia. Pictures still say Ford Center...

It also has a picture from before the old scoreboard was removed like two/three years ago.

With some of the recent upgrades it might be a good time to update CHK Arena on wikipedia. Pictures still say Ford Center...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake_Energy_Arena