Paycom Center (formerly Chesapeake Arena)

[PhiAlpha]

The Myriad Botanical Gardens is now fully Green on one side at night. When it is up and running again I am sure they will want their expensive lighting that usually lights up the gardens to be seen. I don't have a problem with lighting, but if it is so bright that it distracts from other lights that we spent money on, then I have a problem. They can dim those green lights.

Look at that! Everyone wanted OKC to go green and now that we’ve finally done it…everyone is complaining! What’s the world coming to??? Will we ever be happy???

[PhiAlpha]

If it flickered…it would look like constant power flashes. Nothing would be more distinctly Oklahoman lol.

[kukblue1]

So does anyone have any inside scoop on if Paycom was the first choice or did something happen with the Thunder and Loves?

[Dob Hooligan]

I don't think Love's was ever seriously considering a naming rights deal. I think it is very unusual and expensive for one company to sponsor an NBA jersey patch and home arena.

[Laramie]

I don't think Love's was ever seriously considering a naming rights deal. I think it is very unusual and expensive for one company to sponsor an NBA jersey patch and home arena.

Logical point. If Love's had that much to spend, IIRC the rights to the patch was something like $10 million annually from 2019-2023. Tom & Judy could have opted to purchase McClendon's ownership in the franchise.

[BDP]

And, in the meantime, Love's dropped 9 million on the OU softball program for its new stadium.

Dollar for dollar, kinda made sense to expand their branding presence rather than spend more money in a space that they already occupied.

[jedicurt]

So does anyone have any inside scoop on if Paycom was the first choice or did something happen with the Thunder and Loves?

my inside scoop is that Paycom was the only one that was actually offering enough money to make it happen, and that it almost fell apart just days before it was finalized for some reason, because my inside scoop told me about 2 days before it was announced that paycom was out and so they were going to have to find someone else, and then, boom... they announced it was paycom.

[Laramie]

City Council approves MAPS 4 plans for new seating at Paycom Center

The Oklahoma City Council voted Tuesday (March15, 2022) to approve final plans and specifications for new seating at Paycom Center as a part of MAPS 4.

The plans include new seats ranging from 19-inch fabric seats to 21-inch seats faux leather seats that offer taller backs and cup holders for a more comfortable guest experience that is standard in comparable arenas...

The City of Oklahoma City selected global architectural design firm, Populous, to develop a master plan for the renovations at Paycom Center.

...“These targeted efforts will help define the next generation of entertainment in Oklahoma City,” General Manager for ASM Global OKC said. “We look forward to modernizing the venue and elevating experiences for the guests, tours, and teams at Paycom Center.”

Link from City of Oklahoma City: https://www.okc.gov/Home/Components/...ce=govdelivery

Project budget: $105 million

[shawnw]

Didn't see anything about if capacity would change in that link

[Pete]

^

I watched the presentation to the MAPS board and the consultant said capacity would stay almost exactly the same.

[scottk]

$105 million for seats? Is there more to this project?

I know that many of the seats are the originals from when the arena opened 20 years ago, and the entire building cost only $80 million at the time.

18,500 seats at $105 million = $5,675 per seat!

I am hoping the seats come with USB ports, heated backs, refrigerated cup holders, and fully recline.

[shawnw]

Someone upthread says it's 105M for all the changes, just 4M for the seats. That's only $216.22/seat. Actually seems like a bargain compared to how much some office chairs go for.

[scottk]

Someone upthread says it's 105M for all the changes, just 4M for the seats. That's only $216.22/seat. Actually seems like a bargain compared to how much some office chairs go for.

Thank you!

I'll agree that $216.22 is a bargain if they last another 20 years like the first round.

[Laramie]

Someone upthread says it's 105M for all the changes, just 4M for the seats. That's only $216.22/seat. Actually seems like a bargain compared to how much some office chairs go for.

Quite a bargain.

Once $105 million in improvements are completed to Paycom Center our total arena investment will reach $300 million of which the original land purchase for the original MAPS projects were about $16 million.

The improvements by our MAPS initiatives over this 20 year period have increased the price of land in the downtown core almost ten fold.

[shawnw]

https://freepressokc.com/maps-4-citi...ting-partners/

New seats are coming to the Downtown Arena, currently known as the Paycom Center.

Irwin Seating Company entered a successful bid to replace seats in the arena. The contract amount is $3,100,051.18.

This is the first construction contract recommended by the CAB, an auspicious signal that the CAB’s workload will begin to grow significantly over the coming months.

David Todd, MAPS Program Manager, said that staff does not expect to be required to close the arena at any point for installation of new seats, and that the seats will be replaced in phases in both the lower and upper bowl of the arena.

[FighttheGoodFight]

Thats a welcome change.

[Anonymous.]

Does anyone know if they ever turned the brightness of the green down? Last night with the fog, it seemed less green.

[IKnowThings]

Does anyone know if they ever turned the brightness of the green down? Last night with the fog, it seemed less green.

Yes, there were many complaints from neighbors when the lights were first turned on. It is noticeably dimmer now.

[SEMIweather]

Announced today that Kendrick Lamar is starting his tour at the Paycom Center on July 19th.

[HOT ROD]

awesome, need more of this!

[Laramie]

Paycom Center's $105 million renovation has started; does anyone have any update information on the phrases like new seat installation and fan friendly amenities...

Also my concern about our DT arena was originally designed to attract an NHL franchise. It's current seating capacity for ice hockey configuration shrinked to 15,152, originally designed for 17,800 seats--what happened?

Also, the PBR team circuit will occupy the arena, good use of the Paycom Center.

Still think the ECHL which includes rivals Tulsa and Wichita would be a good addition to OKC sports portfolio come 2024.

OKC deserves another attempt to establish an ECHL ice hockey franchise utilizing the new State Fair Coliseum (5,000 seats) at the fairgrounds--anticipate September 2024 opening--this arena will be booked year round.

Paycom Center IMO could house NBA, NBA G-League, PBR team circuit, ECHL 'AA' Ice hockey and concerts.

[citywokchinesefood]

Paycom Center's $105 million renovation has started; does anyone have any update information on the phrases like new seat installation and fan friendly amenities...

Also my concern about our DT arena was originally designed to attract an NHL franchise. It's current seating capacity for ice hockey configuration shrinked to 15,152, originally designed for 17,800 seats--what happened?

Also, the PBR team circuit will occupy the arena, good use of the Paycom Center.

Still think the ECHL which includes rivals Tulsa and Wichita would be a good addition to OKC sports portfolio come 2024.

OKC deserves another attempt to establish an ECHL ice hockey franchise utilizing the new State Fair Coliseum (5,000 seats) at the fairgrounds--anticipate September 2024 opening--this arena will be booked year round.

Paycom Center IMO could house NBA, NBA G-League, PBR team circuit, ECHL 'AA' Ice hockey and concerts.

I love hockey, but a minor league team doesn't need the seating capacity of the Paycom Center. I would much rather the space be open for additional concerts and shows and use a different venue with a more realistic capacity for an ECHL team.

[mugofbeer]

Paycom Center's $105 million renovation has started; does anyone have any update information on the phrases like new seat installation and fan friendly amenities...

Also my concern about our DT arena was originally designed to attract an NHL franchise. It's current seating capacity for ice hockey configuration shrinked to 15,152, originally designed for 17,800 seats--what happened?

Also, the PBR team circuit will occupy the arena, good use of the Paycom Center.

Still think the ECHL which includes rivals Tulsa and Wichita would be a good addition to OKC sports portfolio come 2024.

OKC deserves another attempt to establish an ECHL ice hockey franchise utilizing the new State Fair Coliseum (5,000 seats) at the fairgrounds--anticipate September 2024 opening--this arena will be booked year round.

Paycom Center IMO could house NBA, NBA G-League, PBR team circuit, ECHL 'AA' Ice hockey and concerts.

Seems that new fairgrounds arena would be good for this.

[Laramie]

Good points, guys.

[shawnw]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CejWN9AOwMw/

Opened 20 years ago today