Chisholm Creek Soccer Stadium

[PaddyShack]

This to me seems like an easier way of getting into a soccer specific stadium without dealing with the higher land prices and possible public push back from building near the river or core. This is private land for a private matter so no need to get caught up with the City and taxpayers. I rather them try this cheaper option first and see how it goes before investing megabucks and the political capitol it will take when they look to locate along the river.

As a season seat holder I am in support of this move. I support the team and want to see professional soccer grow in the U.S. and OKC. I also like all of the surrounding amenities that CC brings. If they could build a nice hotel or two near this site it will be even better. I know Aloft is just down the street to the west, but you need to cross over Penn Ave. This almost makes me think of what Sporting KC did, except we don't have a Nascar track nearby.

[SEMIweather]

All you really need to know about how well this move is likely to be received is that Sunday will almost certainly be the Energy's final home game at Taft, and I've not seen anything advertising it as such.

[Pete]

It seems the decision may not be finalized.

As I mentioned up thread, the Energy was conducting focus groups to get feedback on the possible move -- temporarily -- to Chisholm Creek.

It's possible they stay at Taft another season, although the pressures from the league seem to indicate they will be more or less forced to move to this new spot then use the info from the focus groups to try and minimize the backlash.


But let's face it, attendance has not been very good this season.

[PaddyShack]

Went to a season seat holder event last night for the Energy. Ownership is proactively working on getting a solution, however they gave every one the line that with each day passing the likelihood of us staying at Taft next season grows. They would did not deny nor take credit for these stadium plans and from the focus group discussions there were a handful of other locations around OKC that ownership were asking for thoughts on. I honestly don't know what we will be doing. Ownership and staff seem to really be working hard on figuring out an alternative to Taft but are not wanting to rush into something half-baked. I have heard from a number of people who used to support the Energy in the first 2 seasons that they plan on returning when the team moves out of Taft... Not sure why they stopped coming, but that is their position. I see our attendance improving if we were to move to a better suited location with bars, restaurants, and other amenities close by. Taft is the only thing around, no bars or anything, so fans are only driving in and then leaving.

[Pete]

^

Thanks for the info.

It sounds very much like the feedback they have been receiving regarding Chisholm has not been good, which is why they may stay at Taft at least one more season.


I suspect that they could make it work at Chisholm and that attendance would actually go up... But the bigger issue is moving again in 3-5 years to yet another completely different area of town, as they almost certainly will want their permanent stadium near the river somewhere.

[PaddyShack]

^

Thanks for the info.

It sounds very much like the feedback they have been receiving regarding Chisholm has not been good, which is why they may stay at Taft at least one more season.


I suspect that they could make it work at Chisholm and that attendance would actually go up... But the bigger issue is moving again in 3-5 years to yet another completely different area of town, as they almost certainly will want their permanent stadium near the river somewhere.

Talking with some of the people around me was very mixed, if not leaning negative on the location of Chisholm Creek, so I could see the majority of fans wanting a better, more central location in OKC.

[LakeEffect]

But let's face it, attendance has not been very good this season.

From a team support perspective, they beat Tulsa on March 17 and then lost 12 of the next 13 games in all (and the the non-loss was a draw with Tulsa). Even though they came roaring back with plenty of wins and some draws, I'm sure it sucked the air out of fairweather fans.

[PaddyShack]

From a team support perspective, they beat Tulsa on March 17 and then lost 12 of the next 13 games in all (and the the non-loss was a draw with Tulsa). Even though they came roaring back with plenty of wins and some draws, I'm sure it sucked the air out of fairweather fans.

Since that loosing streak we have dropped a number of players and signed some really great talent that knows the new coaches system and has performed very well this second half of the season. Most plays and staff are slated to return next season, so I see next season having more consistent success.

[LakeEffect]

Since that loosing streak we have dropped a number of players and signed some really great talent that knows the new coaches system and has performed very well this second half of the season. Most plays and staff are slated to return next season, so I see next season having more consistent success.

Oh yeah. I never lost faith, but it had to have hurt attendance from people that aren't soccer/football club supporters.

[Pete]

It's my understanding that this pop-up stadium is still moving forward.

It's not a done deal but despite the feedback from the focus groups the Energy conducted which showed resistance to this far-north location, it still seems to be the best mid-term solution.

Obviously, they are already working towards a MAPS 4 stadium, but they may land at Chisholm Creek until the permanent home is sorted out.

[Richard at Remax]

I may be in the minority but I think they will kill it up there and re Energize (pun intended) the fan base. The appeal of all the entertainment options in the area before/post game would be a win for everyone.

[Pete]

^

They want a permanent stadium near the core so I'm sure their concern is that if they spend years building a fanbase in the far north, they would largely have to start over again when they make the final move.

[d-usa]

Part of that depends on the product on the field, maybe more than the location of any stadium.

[jedicurt]

Part of that depends on the product on the field, maybe more than the location of any stadium.

perhaps not as much as you might think... bad teams can build a big following if in the right location... and good teams in bad locations have often had trouble pulling in crowds..

[Richard at Remax]

^

They want a permanent stadium near the core so I'm sure their concern is that if they spend years building a fanbase in the far north, they would largely have to start over again when they make the final move.

I don't disagree with this. To me it's a matter of Want Vs Need. I personally think the stadium in the core is a pipe dream. Who wouldn't want a brand new stadium in any core. I think it's highly doubtful they will get the public on board with paying for a stadium where this is little to zero indication we are actually on the MLS radar. So that leaves me to think they will not fork over a huge chunk of their own money for a stadium.

To me you go where the money is. The demographics in that area (Chisholm Creek) are much better than the area around Taft. Even if you do have stadium downtown I think it will still be tough to get the burbs to come down for minor league soccer. The draw and success of Chisholm Creek location will change their minds and I predict (if it happens) they will plant there long term.

[Laramie]

perhaps not as much as you might think... bad teams can build a big following if in the right location... and good teams in bad locations have often had trouble pulling in crowds..

OKC Energy FC fans realize Taft Stadium will not be an option after 2020.

In 2016, USL OKC Energy FC & NASL Rayo OKC had a combined average attendance of 9,000+. The challenge will be to capitalize on those fan bases with a soccer specific/American football stadium in the core where you bring soccer fans from OKC, Norman, Moore, Edmond, Bethany, Yukon, Midwest City-Del City to one centralized location.

As suggested, a pop-up stadium: test the market before you build a permanent structure.

[jedicurt]

OKC Energy FC fans realize Taft Stadium will not be an option after 2020.

In 2016, USL OKC Energy FC & NASL Rayo OKC had a combined average attendance of 9,000+. The challenge will be to capitalize on those fan bases with a soccer specific/American football stadium in the core where you bring soccer fans from OKC, Norman, Moore, Edmond, Bethany, Yukon, Midwest City-Del City to one centralized location.

As suggested, a pop-up stadium: test the market before you build a permanent structure.

i'm also not saying that Chisholm Creek is a bad location... just was pointing out that the product on the field is not the sole driver for attendance and fan base support.

i'm very glad to hear that this pop-up stadium is back on.

[bombermwc]

Soooo, part of a bond issue in MWC that was passed recently was for a multi-sport stadium. I understand it to be going in on 29th street somewhere. Not sure if that's 29th/sooner or 29th east of Douglas. Or maybe even 29th in the old Glenwood on the Tinker flightline? Possibility? I haven't been able to get details on what that stadium would look like though. I mean if we're throwing out there other possible non-school related locations, then this would be one of the very few out there.