University Town Center

[HOT ROD]

ok, as a casual observer on this topic - I think this is a great development for Norman that will also benefit OU. I as an expat can see it's not OU owned nor developed but private with public (Norman, Cleveland County) contribution. It's like an offer OU can't refuse, since others are doing it.

Now, could it be better if it were closer to/on campus? Yes, but even I can see an arena could not be built unless LNC is razed, and even then it isn't/wont be close to campus. Plenty of programs have arenas off campus, and as has been mentioned - this will be closer to the main base in the OKC metro area. My MBA alma (Seattle University) plays at Climate Pledge arena which is NOT on campus.

My only concern is the seating size, I think 12K is a better target than smaller. It WONT ever compete with Paycom or the new OKC arena, not even the same ballpark. But it will COMPLEMENT the OKC metro area, giving us 3 viable large arenas (if this is built to 12K) and several smaller ones (new Fairgrounds, OCU, and Central Oklahoma). I personally think it's time for Norman to take the leap and become the true 2nd city of the OKC metro. This development will help in that regard, bringing some events non-OU related to the south metro on a regular basis.

[PhiAlpha]

ok, as a casual observer on this topic - I think this is a great development for Norman that will also benefit OU. I as an expat can see it's not OU owned nor developed but private with public (Norman, Cleveland County) contribution. It's like an offer OU can't refuse, since others are doing it.

Now, could it be better if it were closer to/on campus? Yes, but even I can see an arena could not be built unless LNC is razed, and even then it isn't/wont be close to campus. Plenty of programs have arenas off campus, and as has been mentioned - this will be closer to the main base in the OKC metro area. My MBA alma (Seattle University) plays at Climate Pledge arena which is NOT on campus.

My only concern is the seating size, I think 12K is a better target than smaller. It WONT ever compete with Paycom or the new OKC arena, not even the same ballpark. But it will COMPLEMENT the OKC metro area, giving us 3 viable large arenas (if this is built to 12K) and several smaller ones (new Fairgrounds, OCU, and Central Oklahoma). I personally think it's time for Norman to take the leap and become the true 2nd city of the OKC metro. This development will help in that regard, bringing some events non-OU related to the south metro on a regular basis.

Absolutely no reason for an area with OU basketball as the primary tenant to have more than 10k seats. 8k is fine. Build a smaller arena and fill it up consistently and you instantly improve the game environment.

[scottk]

Absolutely no reason for an area with OU basketball as the primary tenant to have more than 10k seats. 8k is fine. Build a smaller arena and fill it up consistently and you instantly improve the game environment.

Yup. Just look north to Stillwater. After the initial "boom" in the early 2000's of the Sutton era when demand was high for 13,000 seats, I imagine there are OSU fans who wish now that Gallahger-Iba Arena was in the 8000 seat range. The original 6300 seats were a much easier venue to pack and created a unique environment during basketball season.