View Full Version : Greater OKC Sports Consortium



warreng88
06-05-2013, 08:19 AM
Interesting article:

The sporting life

A newly established sports consortium is tasked with helping OKC leaders pursue various sporting events to bring to the city.

Tim Farley
June 5th, 2013

Bringing the Summer X Games or a Grand Prix race to the metro area would receive top priority from the Greater Oklahoma City Sports Consortium, a not-for-profit advisory group formed earlier this year.

The entity is the brainchild of Bob Funk Jr. and other sports industry professionals in the metro. Attracting large-scale professional sporting events is the goal of the 15-member consortium.

“We want to share informational resources and expertise to give Oklahoma City the best advice as to large-scale pro events and how they should proceed,” said Funk, owner and president of Prodigal LLC, which operates the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League.

“We are not a local organizing committee that produces events. We are an advisory council.”

It includes representatives from the City of Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau, Oklahoma City All Sports Association, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Barons, the Oklahoma City RedHawks baseball team, OKC Boathouse Foundation, Oklahoma State Fair, Oklahoma City University, the University of Central Oklahoma, the Amateur Softball Association of America, SMG and three at-large positions.

“As the consortium, we will analyze every potential event from A to Z and then make our recommendation to the city. We want to be able to tell them (the city council), ‘Here’s what you should do,’ or, ‘No, this won’t work,’” Funk said. “We want to give every event the best chance for success.”

On March 19, Oklahoma City Council approved a memorandum of understanding that allows the group to advise elected officials about potential sporting and special events that could be held in the city. The agreement will be in force for five years and does not require any public funding.

Mayor Mick Cornett approved the deal but expressed some reservations.

“My concern is it could be used as a roadblock to prevent outside promoters from doing anything in Oklahoma City,” he said.

On the flip side, Cornett said the consortium “might provide some order and a process to allow everyone to be in touch with everyone else,” but cautioned that the “actual execution of it remains to be seen.”

Fair game
As far as Funk is concerned, all large-scale professional sporting events are on the table.

“Oklahoma City has grown at such a rate that nothing should keep us from looking at any event,” he said.

“More than a few years ago, we were too small to think about something like this, but things are different today.”

OKC has some experience hosting major events such as the 1989 Olympic Festival, a 38-sport, 13-day attraction that placed the city in the national spotlight. Moreover, the city has hosted international softball tournaments, NCAA regional basketball and wrestling competitions and the annual College World Series for softball.

Funk said the consortium will not interfere with existing amateur and college events regularly held n Oklahoma City.

In its early stages, the group will rely on the OKC Convention and Visitors Bureau for possible projects to analyze. As Funk points out, however, consortium members can bring forth ideas through their respective networks of contacts.

For instance, bringing a NASCAR race to Oklahoma City is a possibility the consortium might examine. So is a Grand Prix event, once seen as a viable attraction for the metro.

“We would look at auto racing as a potential project. There are comparable markets that host a race,” Funk said.

Thinking bigger, Funk used the Pan American Games and the Summer X Games as examples of events the consortium and local officials would pursue.

“You have to ask the questions, ‘What does that event entail? When does it occur?’ You would have to look at the facilities in the city. Do we functionally have the facilities to host an event like the Pan Am Games?” he said.

http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-18440-the-sporting-life.html

ou48A
06-05-2013, 12:43 PM
The first thing we need to do is make sure we keep the Softball World series in OKC.

According to a Tulsa world sports writer there is going to be very strong competition from others to take it away form OKC
Before pouring money into the existing ball park I would explore the possibility of building a new stadium in the Brick-town area.

Pete
06-05-2013, 01:31 PM
Very interesting.

I'm always a little skeptical of Bob Funk and wonder what his angle is here.


As far as the softball world series, it would make sense to look at the Oklahoma River area for a new stadium/complex and perhaps relocating the Softball Hall of Fame.

Maybe Wheeler Park would fit the bill?

BoulderSooner
06-05-2013, 01:43 PM
Very interesting.

I'm always a little skeptical of Bob Funk and wonder what his angle is here.


As far as the softball world series, it would make sense to look at the Oklahoma River area for a new stadium/complex and perhaps relocating the Softball Hall of Fame.

Maybe Wheeler Park would fit the bill?

OKC/all sports/CVB is developing a plan for 20+ mil in renovations/expansion of the Hall of fame stadium and should soon sign a new long term (think 20 year) deal with the NCAA HOF stadium will grow to 12,500 seats and there will be lots and lots of added amenities ..

Pete
06-05-2013, 02:42 PM
^

Thanks for that info.

I'm sure they can do a lot with $20 million at the current site, as opposed to spending much more for a new complex.

I'm also sure the NCAA would love to keep the tournament in OKC because of the history of great support. Very similar to the situation with Omaha and the CWS.

HangryHippo
06-05-2013, 02:46 PM
Losing the WCWS would suck. We've hosted it for what, 25 years? We need to secure it and then work to get involved in the college basketball tournament.

Kokopelli
06-05-2013, 03:14 PM
There was a pretty decent article in the Sunday Oklahoman about the WCWS. It covers a little bit of history, the planned expansion, some of this years attendance figures and the competition for the WCWS from the Alabama Sports Foundation.

Here is the link: WCWS: A look at the strength of OKC's hold on the event | News OK (http://newsok.com/wcws-a-look-at-the-strength-of-okcs-hold-on-the-event/article/3841177)

ou48A
06-05-2013, 03:25 PM
Perhaps a new softball stadium / complex in or near Bricktown could be included in a new MAP’s vote.
If they already have 20 million several more million would build a very nice facility but in a much better location and in a location that would help the event grow even more.

Kokopelli
06-05-2013, 04:19 PM
I think that it is important the OKC continue to support both the ASA and WCWS. According to the article in the Sunday paper, it is estimated that the WCWS has an economic impact of 12 to 15 million and the ASA says they have a 15 million impact on OKC.

My question is why would the ASA complex need to be in Bricktown / downtown. What is wrong with the Adventure District?

Logic says that the more you have in the Adventure District the more visitors you have to the area and the more visitors you have to that area. That in turn would give more reasons for some kind of rail service to that area, fans could stay in Bricktown and take the rail to the Adventure district. In past talks about a Gran Prix race have mentioned the Adventure District as a site, another reason for Bricktown to AD rail.
Plus in years past I've read where a lot of fans bring their RVs when they come for the WCWS and there is a RV park just north of Remington.

Hopefully someone more informed can answer this but how many events are held at the ASA complex? I know there is the WCWS which is 14 games, the 2 or 3 day World Cup of Softball in July and the 2 day ASA slow pitch tournament in Sept.

Richard at Remax
06-05-2013, 04:54 PM
softball is fine where it is. everything doesn't need to be downtown.

Pete
06-05-2013, 05:12 PM
From that Oklahoman article:


Additional locker rooms and warm-up rooms for the players are the first phase of the three-phase plan. The central structure of the stadium will be improved in the second phase, with the upper-deck seats coming in the third phase of an overall plan targeted for completion in 2018, if funding and everything else come together as planned.

ou48A
06-05-2013, 06:03 PM
I think that it is important the OKC continue to support both the ASA and WCWS. According to the article in the Sunday paper, it is estimated that the WCWS has an economic impact of 12 to 15 million and the ASA says they have a 15 million impact on OKC.

My question is why would the ASA complex need to be in Bricktown / downtown. What is wrong with the Adventure District?

Logic says that the more you have in the Adventure District the more visitors you have to the area and the more visitors you have to that area. That in turn would give more reasons for some kind of rail service to that area, fans could stay in Bricktown and take the rail to the Adventure district. In past talks about a Gran Prix race have mentioned the Adventure District as a site, another reason for Bricktown to AD rail.
Plus in years past I've read where a lot of fans bring their RVs when they come for the WCWS and there is a RV park just north of Remington.

Hopefully someone more informed can answer this but how many events are held at the ASA complex? I know there is the WCWS which is 14 games, the 2 or 3 day World Cup of Softball in July and the 2 day ASA slow pitch tournament in Sept.


We are far more likely to see commuter rail service near a bricktown location than you will ever see near the current ASA complex location. Rail service is going to follow the existing tracks that run from Norman to Edmond with a stop in downtown / Bricktown.

A location in or near Bricktown offers far more amenities such as restaurants and shopping. There is plenty of parking and I do see RV’s parked in the Bricktown area for some events. It’s much closer to the hotels where the teams and many fans stay. They can walk to the ball park or perhaps take the new trolley. Fans would not necessarily need to rent a car. It’s almost mandatory that they rent one now.

The Bricktown / downtown area already accommodates far more Thunder fans and fans of other large events than anything the softball complex has ever seen.

Kokopelli
06-05-2013, 07:24 PM
We are far more likely to see commuter rail service near a bricktown location than you will ever see near the current ASA complex location. Rail service is going to follow the existing tracks that run from Norman to Edmond with a stop in downtown / Bricktown.

A location in or near Bricktown offers far more amenities such as restaurants and shopping. There is plenty of parking and I do see RV’s parked in the Bricktown area for some events. It’s much closer to the hotels where the teams and many fans stay. They can walk to the ball park or perhaps take the new trolley. Fans would not necessarily need to rent a car. It’s almost mandatory that they rent one now.

The Bricktown / downtown area already accommodates far more Thunder fans and fans of other large events than anything the softball complex has ever seen.


While you did answer part of my question "Why does the ASA complex need to be in Bricktown / downtown" you ignored the part of what's wrong with the Adventure District. There are many attractions in the AD and it does not make any sense to move them all downtown. ( I know you didn't say that but that is what your answer implies.) What does make sense is to bolster and improve the AD.

While I am a big fan of downtown and its many accomplishments, I do not believe that everything has to be downtown and that is what I was hinting at.

Considering that many fans drive in for the WCWS why is it mandatory that they rent a car? While one might see many Rvs in Bricktown I don't believe there is an area down there that properly equipped to handle extended stays. Yes that could be built but again Bricktown doesn't have to have everything.

Considering that a streetcar is part of MAPS 3 there no question Bricktown will get rail service sooner. That wasn't the point I was making about rail service. Plus isn't there some talk about revitalize the AD rail service line out to the railroad museum?


In summary to me it just makes a lot more sense to keep the ASA complex where it is and to continue improving and adding events in and at the AD. The more you have out there the more likely that sometime in the future that there will be improved mass transit possibly including some sort of rail service from the Bricktown area to the AD.

ou48A
06-05-2013, 07:47 PM
While you did answer part of my question "Why does the ASA complex need to be in Bricktown / downtown" you ignored the part of what's wrong with the Adventure District. There are many attractions in the AD and it does not make any sense to move them all downtown. ( I know you didn't say that but that is what your answer implies.) What does make sense is to bolster and improve the AD.

While I am a big fan of downtown and its many accomplishments, I do not believe that everything has to be downtown and that is what I was hinting at.

Considering that many fans drive in for the WCWS why is it mandatory that they rent a car? While one might see many Rvs in Bricktown I don't believe there is an area down there that properly equipped to handle extended stays. Yes that could be built but again Bricktown doesn't have to have everything.

Considering that a streetcar is part of MAPS 3 there no question Bricktown will get rail service sooner. That wasn't the point I was making about rail service. Plus isn't there some talk about revitalize the AD rail service line out to the railroad museum?


In summary to me it just makes a lot more sense to keep the ASA complex where it is and to continue improving and adding events in and at the AD. The more you have out there the more likely that sometime in the future that there will be improved mass transit possibly including some sort of rail service from the Bricktown area to the AD.

No it doesn’t need to be in Bricktown / downtown or does everything need to be located their. But the issue is what is the best location?
I believe the Bricktown / downtown is a much better location for fans and teams for the reasons I listed. A trip driving around both locations makes this observation pretty much self-evident.

Most of the fans who live on the coast do fly in and rent a car.

There is no reason to spend many millions on a rail service that would only be used part time and or lightly.
It makes much more sense to spend far less money on a new ball park in a location where we know their will eventually be well used rail service and in a place that really is far more fan friendly.

Laramie
06-05-2013, 08:24 PM
Maybe Wheeler Park would fit the bill?
OKC/all sports/CVB is developing a plan for 20+ mil in renovations/expansion of the Hall of fame stadium and should soon sign a new long term (think 20 year) deal with the NCAA HOF stadium will grow to 12,500 seats and there will be lots and lots of added amenities ..
Share--BoulderSooner.

Oklahoma City has a tendency to think small and take baby steps.

We will outgrow 12,500-seats at Hall of Fall Stadium by the time it gets completed...

We need a comprehensive plan which would increase seating capacity at Hall of Fame stadium to 15,000 to 20,000 seats in five years.

Do forget--we lost the National Finals Rodeo to Las Vegas because we built the Myriad Convention Center Arena which initially was suppose to seat 15,000; basketball has the highest seating capacity in the current Cox Convention Center at 14,005.

We did much better with the downtown arena (Chesapeake Energy Arena); its initial capacity for basketball was 19,599; its current seating capacity for NBA basketball is 18,203.

We will definitely need to expand the Peake to a capacity in the neighborhood of 19,200 to 19,500 within the next five to seven years.


We have got to think big and stop taking baby steps and forgetting to say, 'May I."

OKCisOK4me
06-05-2013, 11:34 PM
softball is fine where it is. everything doesn't need to be downtown.

Another solid reason to get that Adventure District Branch up, funded, and running. I think just having the line dead end east of HOF stadium would be a huge asset for the area and it's nary a walk to the zoo or Omniplex (sorry, I won't stop calling it that).

To add to what Kokopelli is saying...

It may just happen. If commuter rail or even light rail is going to happen in OKC, it may start with short branches...aka...out to Tinker or up to the Adventure District.

People will still get downtown, as current use applies, by car but to test the water of additional mass transit, starter lines like these may be the answer to discover if it is needed or not. I'm guessing the study will cost less on a Tinker branch or an AD branch with very little if any freight traffic than a BNSF mainline to either Edmond or Norman. Maybe it happens, maybe it doesn't, but I'm pretty sure I've heard that if it comes to fruition, despite the spending that ou48a doesn't want to see become a reality, it's gonna start with starter branches.

dankrutka
06-05-2013, 11:52 PM
Softball does not need a 15,000-20,000 seat stadium. Stadiums used to be built to the largest crowds and not the average for years (see Bricktown ballpark and its 5,000 seats covered by a tarp), but that mindset has been replaced because people don't like sitting in half empty stadiums. 12,000 is more than enough for softball. While attendance has increased for the WCWS in recent years, this year was an aberration because OU had maybe the best team of all time. When the final is UCLA-Nebraska with 5,000 there you'll realize we don't need a 20,000 seat stadium for softball.

BoulderSooner
06-06-2013, 08:53 AM
We are far more likely to see commuter rail service near a bricktown location than you will ever see near the current ASA complex location. Rail service is going to follow the existing tracks that run from Norman to Edmond with a stop in downtown / Bricktown.

A location in or near Bricktown offers far more amenities such as restaurants and shopping. There is plenty of parking and I do see RV’s parked in the Bricktown area for some events. It’s much closer to the hotels where the teams and many fans stay. They can walk to the ball park or perhaps take the new trolley. Fans would not necessarily need to rent a car. It’s almost mandatory that they rent one now.

The Bricktown / downtown area already accommodates far more Thunder fans and fans of other large events than anything the softball complex has ever seen.

the likely first rail line from downtown okc .. will be the NE line which goes to the adventure district ..

ou48A
06-06-2013, 10:42 AM
the likely first rail line from downtown okc .. will be the NE line which goes to the adventure district ..
I had not heard that…^ What I had read was that the plan called for a commuter rail line running from Norman to Edmond with a branch out to Tinker AF. How much would a rail line to the Adventure district cost? and then cost to keep in operation?

Kokopelli
06-06-2013, 02:30 PM
On paper this sports consortium sounds like a good idea, but like Mayor Cornett I have reservations.

I like it that the Grand Prix event is still be considered. A couple of other ideas that I hope they continue to purse would be;

A. Velodrone
B. a MSL team

Didn't include improvements to ASA because plans are already in place.

BoulderSooner
06-06-2013, 02:39 PM
I had not heard that…^ What I had read was that the plan called for a commuter rail line running from Norman to Edmond with a branch out to Tinker AF. How much would a rail line to the Adventure district cost? and then cost to keep in operation?

the NE is currently being studied by the Maps 3 street car consultant .. and the entire NE is in okc and most of it (all except the N bricktown spur) is owned by OKC

Kokopelli
06-06-2013, 02:47 PM
the NE is currently being studied by the Maps 3 street car consultant .. and the entire NE is in okc and most of it (all except the N bricktown spur) is owned by OKC

Boulder, do you know if they are looking at using some of the restored equipment from the railroad museum on this line or would they use something different?

BoulderSooner
06-06-2013, 02:51 PM
Boulder, do you know if they are looking at using some of the restored equipment from the railroad museum on this line or would they use something different?

i don't think any decision has been made on that yet

Mississippi Blues
06-06-2013, 04:09 PM
On paper this sports consortium sounds like a good idea, but like Mayor Cornett I have reservations.

I like it that the Grand Prix event is still be considered. A couple of other ideas that I hope they continue to purse would be;

A. Velodrone
B. a MSL team

Didn't include improvements to ASA because plans are already in place.

I share your thoughts.

UrbanNebraska
06-06-2013, 06:13 PM
This was obviously an Omaha-centric article, but there were some good comments from OKC and ESPN people in it. Also a good chronicle of the history and parallels between the WCWS and the CWS. I had no idea the WCWS used to be held at a park in Omaha in the 80s where I frisbee golf now.

Omaha helped pave the way for softball's 'Road to Oklahoma City' - Omaha.com (http://www.omaha.com/article/20130529/HUSKERS/705299808)


“Every year (the WCWS) has grown here with the exception of one,” said Brassfield, executive director of the Oklahoma City All Sports Association, which co-hosts the NCAA softball championships with the University of Oklahoma. “It's pretty amazing how this event continues to escalate and grow.”

As the WCWS is set to begin today — with Nebraska back in the field for the first time since 2002 — Oklahoma City is maybe only a few months from getting its wish.

Oklahoma City and the NCAA are in negotiations for a potential 20-year contract that the city is hopeful can be completed by August. It would feature a multi-phase renovation of ASA Hall of Fame Stadium that would include expansion to 12,500 seats by 2017 (from the current 8,550).

Spartan
06-06-2013, 07:31 PM
Why on earth would we build a new softball stadium when Jim Couch claims we got no money for buses?

Laramie
06-10-2013, 10:06 PM
A ballpark produces revenue when tourist dollars are brought into this area from out of state. I doubt if an investment in buses would produce a lot of revenue. Don't get me wrong, we need the buses; however, if we are going to build, build something which is going to produce revenue and increase the sales tax base through tourist and motel-hotel usage.

Mississippi Blues
06-10-2013, 11:26 PM
A ballpark produces revenue when tourist dollars are brought into this area from out of state. I doubt if an investment in buses would produce a lot of revenue. Don't get me wrong, we need the buses; however, if we are going to build, build something which is going to produce revenue and increase the sales tax base through tourist and motel-hotel usage.

Thinking like this is why our bus system is BS.

Laramie
06-13-2013, 07:04 PM
Thinking like this is why our bus system is BS.

Our bus system is adequate and functional; our city emcompasses 600 sq. miles which is a wide travel area . Our bus system does quite well for the amount of revenue we take in and the minimal budget it has to maintain the routes which are used.

You need an auto if you live in OKC; the bus routes can get you to where you need to go; however, it takes longer.

Cities like Dallas, Tulsa and Fort Worth has a land area each around 350 +/- miles with greater population density and the buses and light rail don't cover the mass area in which Oklahoma City is covering with its mass transit.

Mississippi Blues
06-16-2013, 09:32 PM
Our bus system is adequate and functional; our city emcompasses 600 sq. miles which is a wide travel area . Our bus system does quite well for the amount of revenue we take in and the minimal budget it has to maintain the routes which are used.

You need an auto if you live in OKC; the bus routes can get you to where you need to go; however, it takes longer.

Cities like Dallas, Tulsa and Fort Worth has a land area each around 350 +/- miles with greater population density and the buses and light rail don't cover the mass area in which Oklahoma City is covering with its mass transit.

Do you really think the amount of a city bus routes covers is what makes a bus system adequate or inadequate? I mean, you answered it for me, lol. The fact that you have to have an automobile because the bus takes an hour to get you somewhere is what makes it inadequate, & that's just me making it as simplistic as I can.