State Fairgrounds

[BoulderSooner]

Dickies arena is for the Fort Worth rodeo. And for major events (think Chesapeake arena type shows). The horse shows are not moving to that building. The AAC basketball tourney is going there for at least a year The stock show is staying at the memorial center.

At a cost of half a billion dollars

[Dob Hooligan]

Looking at the Ft. Worth arena makes me like the OKC design more. Now, what do who we want sell the naming rights to? Ditch-Witch?

[Richard at Remax]

I'm still trying to figure out how a 14,000 seat arena is $540 million dollars.

[RadicalModerate]

As a side note, when I saw the name Dickies Arena I honestly thought, "Why would they name an arena after a second- or third-rate BBQ chain?" (please be advised: I haven't personally tried Dickies BBQ in either the closed French Mart Mall location or the new location on north May and therefore apologize for accepting other peoples' observations of the quality. I've also never owned any Dickies work clothes.)

[Bullbear]

Looking at the Ft. Worth arena makes me like the OKC design more. Now, what do who we want sell the naming rights to? Ditch-Witch?

If we are selling rights to Ditch-Witch it needs to be a DOME... Ditch-Witch Dome has a nice ring to it..lol

[Laramie]

OKC only needs to spend less than $250 in a venue downtown or at State Fair Park to lock in these horse shows. Get a sponsor to chip in another $30 million (10%); we should be set.

Maybe it's time for a mini multi-use 30,000 to 50,000 seat dome. Build it downtown or State Fair Park. Build something similar to the Syracuse Carrier Dome.

You could use it for American football & basketball like the state high school football & basketball playoffs, soccer specific stadium, horse shows (hide or sealed off upper deck seats not needed), large concerts, track & field, bid on the NCAA Final Four...

The Syracuse Carrier Dome built in 1980 initially cost $26 million. OKC could build a better or similar venue today for $260 million - $300 million. Get a sponsor like Express Personnel (Funks) to chip in 10% for naming-rights & free rent.

Best time is now to do a study on a facility capable of use to address a number of events.

[Laramie]

Dixie's Arena (top pic) was designed to complement the Will Rogers Coliseum Complex (bottom pic). Beautiful design, fits well with the buildings that exist on the complex.

[gopokes88]

Uggh, the Fort Worth Arena: The real life incarnation of Albert Speer and Hitler's Volkshalle. Why in the h would we want to copy something from TX, and furthermore something that resembles such far right wing political ideals?

You ok bro?

[bombermwc]

He's been watching too much Man in the High Castle.

[Geographer]

Dixie's Arena (top pic) was designed to complement the Will Rogers Coliseum Complex (bottom pic). Beautiful design, fits well with the buildings that exist on the complex.

They're also building structured parking in this area (since many surface lots are being removed) to service all of the nearby museums and obviously the new Arena. The great thing about this area is that there are many different types of activities that keep the neighborhood quite busy most of the year....several art and history museums, will Rogers center, West 7th district, botanical gardens, etc.

[Mel]

If we are selling rights to Ditch-Witch it needs to be a DOME... Ditch-Witch Dome has a nice ring to it..lol

That sound like a Canadian joke.

[BLJR]

Looks like demo started today.

[Plutonic Panda]

I don’t even care anymore. OKC has become such a joke in regards to preservation.

[Pete]

[rezman]

^ There's a lot of irony in the first photo. What was and is being removed in the foreground while what it has become looks on from the background. Lots of scorched earth around the old WKY pavilion and observation tower. Any bets that it will next on the chopping block?

[Colbafone]

Funny story about what they have demolished here. Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend the Nascar race down in Dallas. I've never been. It was actually quite awesome. I encourage everyone to go at least once. But that's beside the point. I was fortunate enough to get to meet a driver and his entire team, managers, and pit crew. Got to hang out in the garage/pit area and talk to them. When I mentioned to them all that I was from OKC, they ALL started talking about how much it sucked we got rid of our Racetrack here. They all seemed t love it and had fond memories of it. ALL of them said they had raced there numerous times.

Now, I'm 30. I'm old enough to remember it, even saw a race there once. But not old enough to have appreciated it. With all the talks of trying to be big league, we've torn down so many neat things at the Fairgrounds, including a Racetrack that probably cold have used some TLC by was very cool and unique.

Anyway, point being, I hate our current Fairgrounds. Going to almost any other state fair is still a unique experience. In OKC it just sucks now.

[5alive]

This is sad on so many levels. Look at that first picture...our "Fair"grounds is nothing more than acres of asphalt and metal buildings. Concerning the old WKY pavilion, there are some fairgrounds where all the major affiliates have permanent buildings they broadcast from during the fair.

[shawnw]

basically we can move the fair to any flat lot in the city like any old carnival at this point.

[catch22]

OKC takes one step closer to its vision to be the City without a History. Shameful.

[Zuplar]

Funny story about what they have demolished here. Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend the Nascar race down in Dallas. I've never been. It was actually quite awesome. I encourage everyone to go at least once. But that's beside the point. I was fortunate enough to get to meet a driver and his entire team, managers, and pit crew. Got to hang out in the garage/pit area and talk to them. When I mentioned to them all that I was from OKC, they ALL started talking about how much it sucked we got rid of our Racetrack here. They all seemed t love it and had fond memories of it. ALL of them said they had raced there numerous times.

Now, I'm 30. I'm old enough to remember it, even saw a race there once. But not old enough to have appreciated it. With all the talks of trying to be big league, we've torn down so many neat things at the Fairgrounds, including a Racetrack that probably cold have used some TLC by was very cool and unique.

Anyway, point being, I hate our current Fairgrounds. Going to almost any other state fair is still a unique experience. In OKC it just sucks now.

My sentiments exactly. I know a law of Outlaw racers and they loved using that track.

[Bill Robertson]

My sentiments exactly. I know a law of Outlaw racers and they loved using that track.

It was well known as one of the best dirt tracks in the country. The WOO half mile, one lap time trial record was on the OKC track for years. Drivers loved our track.

[bigsmooth]

Perhaps they could install the James Cotter statue in place of the Space Needle. He IS sitting on his horse, and it's all about horses now, isn't it ??

[rezman]

It was well known as one of the best dirt tracks in the country. The WOO half mile, one lap time trial record was on the OKC track for years. Drivers loved our track.

Absolutely! We had one of the fastest back straights in the nation. Spent many a Friday night there. Both as a spectator and an employee.

[CloudDeckMedia]

Not everything that's gone from the Fairgrounds is gone forever. You may remember a WWII C-47 troop transport that was one of a few airplanes on static display. They were removed, and the C-47 went to a local vo-tech where it sat for a decade. The Oklahoma History Center raised funds, purchased it, had the exterior beautifully restored, and this morning dedicated it at Joe B. Barnes Park in MWC, not far from where it was built at Tinker in March 1944. Wouldn't it be great if the State Fair would give the finial to the OHC for preservation and display?

[rezman]

^ That is awesome. Whenever I drove by that old plane I would hope some day it would get the attention it deserves. To add to this good news,
IIRC that is a C-47C, which is believed to be the last remaining example in existance.