New State Fair Coliseum

[BoulderSooner]

because it get used and therefore generates additional revenue for another 36 nights a year... people don't want cities to build stadiums for billionaires, but also dont want cities to actually use them to generate revenue when they could... just blows my mind

also, i sort of agree... and it's perfectly okay for a minor league hockey team to play at a smaller venue.. and that is why we would need something like a new state fair arena to do so... for the city to show a long term commitment to another facility besides the Peake

the minor league hockey team really cant afford the rent at the peake

[jedicurt]

the minor league hockey team really cant afford the rent at the peake

shouldn't that be for the owner of said hockey team to determine? and to determine the best course of action? again, i'm not saying the Peake should be where a minor league team should play... i'm saying it's the only option since there isn't a long term plan for the Cox center to still exist. and so if it's the only option, but isn't really an option because the Thunder don't share... then we have no opportunity to get minor league hockey.

hence why i'm in support of a new state fair arena.

[Pete]

And now a press release through their PR firm:

*****************


Study Shows Benefits of Replacing Jim Norick Arena
‘Big House’ has served state’s athletes, international competitions for 54 years

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 8, 2019) – Replacing the famous Jim Norick Arena – known as “The Big House” – at State Fair Park would provide an economic boost to Oklahoma City, according to a new study.

Crossroads Consulting, a nationally recognized expert in large public venue (LPV) consulting, found a new State Fair Park Coliseum would generate more than $230 million a year in direct spending and more than $400 million a year in total economic impact.

“‘The Big House’ has provided lifelong memories for high school athletes from across the state for generations and helped make Oklahoma City the ‘Horse Show Capital of the World,’” said Oklahoma State Fair, Inc. President & CEO Tim O’Toole. “Unfortunately, the building is rapidly approaching the end of its useful life. The Crossroads study shows how much is at risk and how our entire community will benefit from investing in a new coliseum.”

Additionally, Crossroads said a new coliseum would generate 10 percent more direct spending than the existing facility and create an extra 370 total jobs a year.

State Fair Park is an important economic driver and gathering place for Oklahoma City, the report found. Over the last three years, it has averaged a total attendance of more than 2.15 million visitors annually. The park’s visitors generated more economic impact than three other city-owned facilities combined over the last three years – Cox Convention Center, Chesapeake Energy Arena and Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark.

“The report shows how important it is to invest in state-of-the-art facilities which will continue to attract people from the metro area, the state and the rest of the world,” O’Toole said.

In January 2017, the City of Oklahoma City, which owns State Fair Park, commissioned an architectural firm to create plans for a modern coliseum with more than 4,700 fixed seats, 2,600 retractable seats and premium amenities such as suites, box seating and club opportunities.

Construction is expected to cost $95 million, and plans call for keeping the Norick Arena open during the process to minimize disruption.

“Building a new facility would have clear benefits for the Oklahoma City community. This need has been acknowledged for several years by the City of Oklahoma City and Oklahoma State Fair, Inc. The expected MAPS program to fund capital improvements presents an exceptional opportunity to secure funding for a project of this magnitude,” O’Toole said. “We look forward to voters continuing to support the world-class facilities at State Fair Park as we fulfill our mission of economic development through tourism.”

About Oklahoma State Fair, Inc.
Oklahoma State Fair, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation that serves the people of Oklahoma and is dedicated to continuing the organization’s heritage of education, entertainment and economic development through the operation of State Fair Park and the annual Oklahoma State Fair.

[Pete]

Here is a video that was included in the press release.

[Jersey Boss]

????

why would the DSE (the ownership group for the Stars) care at all about Thunder ownership being mad at them? or are you saying the City didn't want Thunder ownership mad at them? i'm confused by what you are saying

Sorry i was not clear. I was refering to the legal owners, Oklahoma City.

[Jersey Boss]

I don't see any reason why the Thunder should share with a minor league hockey team. Yes, I know it's possible to use the Chesapeake for both. But minor league hockey is such a tiny draw compared to the NBA that there's no reason to fight that battle.

Other than the fact they are tenents and not the owners of said arena. It also appears whether factual or not that the current deference impacts other entertainment options there such as concerts.

[jedicurt]

Sorry i was not clear. I was refering to the legal owners, Oklahoma City.

ok. yep, it's the city that doesn't want them mad at them, and i just don't understand. it's not like they have any other options

[shawnw]

We actually haven't seen the city sat that yet though. I know a lot of people here want that to happen, but im not going make that assumption until the city says they're going to shutter the place. And i really dont think they're going to do that.

There are nearly 1,000 parking spots under the Cox. I doubt they demo until there is a rock solid plan for replacement. In the mean time they should still sell the crap out of the space to keep getting value out of it.

[bombermwc]

There are nearly 1,000 parking spots under the Cox. I doubt they demo until there is a rock solid plan for replacement. In the mean time they should still sell the crap out of the space to keep getting value out of it.

Yup, until i see someone that says "we're officially going to close the Myriad", then i'll see it as still going to be there. People keep forgetting how many things that it offers and how it will NOT be redundant after the CC opens. It'll be the second class facility, sure. But that's the price market a lot of meetings will go for since the CC is going to be the premium price. It hasn't kept the similar facilities around town from having any trouble with bookings. The SFA is still a "maybe" too. So like said before, the Myriad is the option for anything else that comes in (hockey, g league, whatever) because they certainly aren't going to play at the current SFA.

[jedicurt]

So like said before, the Myriad is the option for anything else that comes in (hockey, g league, whatever) because they certainly aren't going to play at the current SFA.

well the city disagrees with you... because they wouldn't commit to it being around for any specified time after the new CC is built, to DSE.. they seem to imply that it just isn't a real option unless you are okay with uncertainty in the near future of where you will be able to play... and no owner is going to make a decision that doesn't even have a 5 year plan of a place to play.

so you say it's an option... and the city is currently telling ownership groups that there is no options..

[OKC Guy]

A lot of HS graduations happen at Myriad. Does the school pay the city for this or how does that work? And if it is torn down will these HS graduations move to the new CC? And if they pay Myriad I would wonder how much more the new CC would cost? Plus if actual conventions are booking new CC we would not want HS graduations to lock out dates which could cost us visitors and revenue.

If the new CC is not a viable option I wonder where the graduations will take place? Not a big deal but was curious

[jedicurt]

If the new CC is not a viable option I wonder where the graduations will take place? Not a big deal but was curious

honestly was a question i hadn't thought of yet. i mean i'm certain they will find a place. some might move back to local gymnasiums, i would assume. but a good question

[Pete]

Graduations at the Cox Center are a relatively newish thing.

At Putnam City, we always used the stadium. And now more schools have their own stadiums: PC North and West, Edmond Memorial, North and SF, etc.

[OKC Guy]

Graduations at the Cox Center are a relatively newish thing.

At Putnam City, we always used the stadium. And now more schools have their own stadiums: PC North and West, Edmond Memorial, North and SF, etc.

My daughter had hers at Myriad/Cox and it was quite a lot of people (PC North). There were session slots that day too from all the other schools. Other kid was at BM and they had it at their private school but only had 164 graduating students.

I’m sure there are other options. But the PCN one had around 5k just in families/friends it was massive.

[jn1780]

I'm going to go on the assumption that the fair is going to get a new arena one way or another. Under that assumption, I can pretty much guartee you the cox center will either be shuttered or go into disarray. The city won't care to maintain it anymore because it will be focusing more on the new convention center. The cox center won't attract the big players to pay for its own maintenance except for the parking garage underneath.

[BoulderSooner]

There are nearly 1,000 parking spots under the Cox. I doubt they demo until there is a rock solid plan for replacement. In the mean time they should still sell the crap out of the space to keep getting value out of it.

Yup, until i see someone that says "we're officially going to close the Myriad", then i'll see it as still going to be there. People keep forgetting how many things that it offers and how it will NOT be redundant after the CC opens. It'll be the second class facility, sure. But that's the price market a lot of meetings will go for since the CC is going to be the premium price. It hasn't kept the similar facilities around town from having any trouble with bookings. The SFA is still a "maybe" too. So like said before, the Myriad is the option for anything else that comes in (hockey, g league, whatever) because they certainly aren't going to play at the current SFA.

per the agreement with Omni the city must stop booking Conferences ect.. at the cox within 1 year on the Omni opening

https://newsok.com/article/5556353/o...-proposed-deal

[BDP]

per the agreement with Omni the city must stop booking Conferences ect.. at the cox within 1 year on the Omni opening

https://newsok.com/article/5556353/o...-proposed-deal

Article says they have to stop booking "larger conferences". I imagine sports would still be okay, as it doesn't create a conflict with the new CC, but I'm just guessing.

[David]

Feels like the fix is already in for the State Fair getting their cut of MAPS 4.

[TheTravellers]

Article says they have to stop booking "larger conferences". I imagine sports would still be okay, as it doesn't create a conflict with the new CC, but I'm just guessing.

Article isn't completely clear, but I'm assuming it would just stop OKC from booking larger conferences within a year, but private entities could still book larger conferences? Or do I just not know about how conferences are booked?

[Pete]

But the PCN one had around 5k just in families/friends it was massive.

I'm sure it felt like 5K but they only graduate about 500 and I doubt each and every single student had 10 family members there. They now have less than 1,700 in 4 grades and the senior class is always the smallest of the 4. I bet they aren't even graduating 400 these days.

I graduated with over 1,000 and there was still room in PC stadium for the entire crowd. North can easily fit this in their new stadium.

[OKC Guy]

I'm sure it felt like 5K but they only graduate about 500 and I doubt each and every single student had 10 family members there. They now have less than 1,700 in 4 grades and the senior class is always the smallest of the 4. I bet they aren't even graduating 400 these days.

I graduated with over 1,000 and there was still room in PC stadium for the entire crowd. North can easily fit this in their new stadium.

There was 550 she tells me. Problem with stadium is weather. Lots of out of towners and its a gamble to do outside fir that reason. When we had hers we walked out to tornado sirens going off it was a bad weather day. I know she had 25 family there and it was over half full in stands. I think it holds 10k? Anyways, regardless - there will be a need for alternate venues but its only about a 3 week period every year

[Pete]

When schools use stadiums, they use their auditorium as back-up. We were given 2 rain tickets for the auditorium and then the overflow would watch a simulcast in the gym.

To my knowledge, PC has never needed to go this route in the last 50 years. I have 4 siblings, a brother in law, 2 nieces and countless friends go through graduation at that stadium and it always worked out. And even easier now with artificial turf everywhere.

So, losing the Cox for graduation ceremonies should not be a big deal which is the central point. It wasn't that long ago where almost no schools held graduations there.

[d-usa]

Anyone else getting PMs from Green County about the State Fair being a charity and not a city organization and that their federal charity filing is transparency enough?

https://www.okctalk.com/member.php?u=11937

How many other charities have lobbied for a direct cut of past MAPS projects? It might have happened, but I don’t know the details.

[OKC Guy]

When schools use stadiums, they use their auditorium as back-up. We were given 2 rain tickets for the auditorium and then the overflow would watch a simulcast in the gym.

To my knowledge, PC has never needed to go this route in the last 50 years. I have 4 siblings, a brother in law, 2 nieces and countless friends go through graduation at that stadium and it always worked out. And even easier now with artificial turf everywhere.

So, losing the Cox for graduation ceremonies should not be a big deal which is the central point. It wasn't that long ago where almost no schools held graduations there.

My first comment was its not a big deal:

“If the new CC is not a viable option I wonder where the graduations will take place? Not a big deal but was curious”

So it was mainly just conversation about where they would go. Its great to hear 40 years of weather luck especially in high storm season. And your backup plan comments would work too but if out of town would be a bummer to spend all the money and have to watch video feed. Anyways, its a small issue and I’m sure they will survive it.

[SOONER8693]

All of the Moore High schools graduate at the Myriad/Cox center. Only one time did Moore High use the LNC in Norman, and that was due to construction at the Myriad/Cox. Westmoore has never graduated anywhere else and the same with Southmoore. I was there/in charge of the first 28 of those at Westmoore. Each school WHS, MHS, and SHS used to graduate on their own day. The school district pays the Myriad/Cox center for use of the facility. Due the cost of each high school using the facility on a separate day, several years ago it was consolidated into all 3 high schools graduating on the same day. Start times rotate each year. Westmoore is first this year at 9:30 a.m. p.s. As far as attendance goes, it is common for there to be between 8-10K at the Westmoore graduation. I would assume it would be about the same for MHS and SHS.