New State Fair Coliseum

[dankrutka]

We're a little off topic, but dankrutka the white flight statement leads that above comment to insinuate that it's a racial aspect, but i dont think that's what you were trying to say there. It's socio-economic, not racial.

One of the major aspects to that conversation is parent involvement. That contributes to the gap in a HUGE way. It's extremely difficult for parents that are working 2 or 3 jobs to be able to spend the little time they have to help with homework or participate in activities/fund raisers/etc. In these same economically depressed areas, a large number of the kids are even working as young as 14 years old just to help pay the bills. People do what they need to in order to get by, and often the school work is what gets sacrificed to put food on the table.

It is socioeconomic and racial. There's consistent evidence that race deepens segregation and white families have more social mobility for housing and schooling. Moreover, a lot of white parents rule out schools with large Black or Latinx populations right off the bat. They assume these schools are worse even when they are not.

I taught in the OKC area. When I taught at Edmond Santa Fe, I heard teachers espouse anti-Black racism because a new freshman class had more Black students than previous years. Santa Fe started being called the "ghetto" school. It was all racism that affected enrollment. It wasn't just parents who didn't want Black students at the school, it was teachers. It's absolutely infuriating.

[HFAA Alum]

It is socioeconomic and racial. There's consistent evidence that race deepens segregation and white families have more social mobility for housing and schooling. Moreover, a lot of white parents rule out schools with large Black or Latinx populations right off the bat. They assume these schools are worse even when they are not.

I taught in the OKC area. When I taught at Edmond Santa Fe, I heard teachers espouse anti-Black racism because a new freshman class had more Black students than previous years. Santa Fe started being called the "ghetto" school. It was all racism that affected enrollment. It wasn't just parents who didn't want Black students at the school, it was teachers. It's absolutely infuriating.

I'm sorry to hear that happened before you. Back when I was at school, I always heard things like Star Spencer, Douglass, Northeast Academy, Millwood being the ghetto schools. But they didn't dare put Classen SAS on that list because of their test scores, despite that school being heavily mixed. I assumed it was just the test scores... until I went to Harding Fine Arts Academy. Then I got into an environment made of teachers who were more open minded and well-educated. I realized then it wasn't the students that are the malfactor, it's the teachers who wanted to have you watch a move and do a test based on that movie.

Seriously, my social studies teacher in 10th grade had us do a test on the movie 300. Meanwhile my government teacher in 11th grade was teaching us the actual history of the state, including the not-so-shiny parts. My heart goes out to her, she was a real one.

[Plutonic Panda]

This project is receiving $20 from the states “PREP” fund for assistance:

In addition to ARPA funds, the Legislature also appropriated $20 million from the state’s PREP Fund for a new multipurpose exhibit and educational building at the State Fairgrounds as well as a new extension, which will connect the Super Barn to the new coliseum.

- https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/pol...ack=super_blog

Pete, wasn’t the barn extension axed? So now it seems it’s back on?

[BoulderSooner]

Pete, wasn’t the barn extension axed? So now it seems it’s back on?

it was axed from the Maps project .... it has always been planned ..

[Pete]

When they got the bids back for the new arena, they didn't have MAPS budget to cover the extension so it was removed from the initial bid.

Looks like they have found an alternative funding source for it.

[Plutonic Panda]

Thanks the replies. I’m happy to see it was brought back. This will be a cool project to watch.

[Pete]

Work is starting on the new MAPS 4 Coliseum.

The first step will be to demolish the southeast section of Norick Arena as the new facility will be built directly adjacent. Norick will continue to operate during the new construction which should wrap up in two years' time. The area to be razed is fenced off and will soon come down.

Once the new coliseum is finished, the old one will be completely demolished and a connector will be built between the new arena and the super barn facility.

Jim Norick Arena was completed in 1965. The new coliseum will cost over $100 million from MAPS and hotel tax revenue and feature 7,320 seats, a wide modern concourse and improved concessions and amenities.

[Oski]

[SIZE=3]

This isn't the final design, right?

[PaddyShack]

I can't believe we are losing that prime parking lot for this, now we will have to walk for the state fair!!

/s

I wonder if we will finally see some sort of landscaping as planned in the site design. I also wonder if the Norwick Arena has any asbestos or not.

[jn1780]

I wonder why they didn't combined phase 1 and 2. Only a little section of the old arena needs to be demolished to make room. They could have started excavating and installing foundation piers for over 90 percent of the structure.

[Cocaine]

I can't believe we are losing that prime parking lot for this, now we will have to walk for the state fair!!

/s

I wonder if we will finally see some sort of landscaping as planned in the site design. I also wonder if the Norwick Arena has any asbestos or not.

If only there was something like a parking garage.. Or even over flow parking at osu-okc with a pedestrian bridge.

[caaokc]

A hockey team in that building would be awesome!

[bombermwc]

A hockey team in that building would be awesome!

Nah, they cater to horses. They dont want to take that dirt out any more often than they have to. Forget all the other things that use the arena...they're just important. Let alone someone with an actual long-term use. Pshaw.


Or so goes their logic.....

[Southsider2]

A hockey team in that building would be awesome!

Pipe dream but would love to catch a Bedlam (UCO/OU) Hockey series here sometime. This arena reminds me of a slightly larger version of Arizona State's new arena which hosts ASU Hockey and the Arizona Coyotes (NHL-Short term). I can't speak to OU but UCO has an extremely passionate following for Hockey and the program has had great success. Problem is that Artic Edge is far too small to host Bedlam and always sells out but this arena would be far too big.

[Bill Robertson]

Nah, they cater to horses. They dont want to take that dirt out any more often than they have to. Forget all the other things that use the arena...they're just important. Let alone someone with an actual long-term use. Pshaw.


Or so goes their logic.....

I agree completely that it's never going to happen. But they wouldn't have to remove the dirt. Smooth it out some. Place the liner. Fill with water and freeze. Not all that different from the NHL games that have been played at baseball stadiums the past few years.

[David]

The groundbreaking has happened: https://twitter.com/davidfholt/statu...95584461049857

This was a great day for Oklahoma City as we broke ground on the first @maps4okc project - the Fairgrounds Coliseum. This is just the beginning, as $1.1 billion rolls out over the next decade to construct 16 projects that will improve our city’s quality of life.

This specific project will replace the Norick Arena and sustain the hundreds of events that occur there every year, almost all of which bring thousands of visitors to our city, spurring economic development and tax revenues that benefit us all. The MAPS story continues!

[Pete]

Press release:

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

Construction begins on MAPS 3 and 4 OKC Fairgrounds Coliseum
Jim Norick Arena will continue to host events during Coliseum’s construction
02/22/2023



City leaders broke ground today on the MAPS 3 and 4 OKC Fairgrounds Coliseum.

The 216,164-square-foot coliseum will be operated by Oklahoma State Fair, Inc. at the OKC Fairgrounds. Construction is scheduled to be complete in 2025. The Jim Norick Arena will continue to host events, just as it has since 1965, until the new coliseum opens.

“The Fairgrounds are a catalyst for Oklahoma City’s tourism industry,” MAPS 4 Program Manager David Todd said. “The 58-year-old Jim Norick Arena is home to numerous national and international horse shows along with the Cattlemen’s Congress which collectively generate in excess of $150 million annually. The new coliseum will allow Oklahoma City to remain dominant in the horse show world and continue to be an economic driver for tourism for the state of Oklahoma for the next 50 years.”

The MAPS 3 and 4 Fairgrounds Coliseum will feature seating for more than 7,000 people, a lounge, suites, a full-service restaurant and several upscale concession areas, an A/V suite and a sophisticated catwalk system. The new coliseum will be built to the south of the Jim Norick Arena and come all the way up to the footprint of the current arena.

“The new OKC Fairgrounds Coliseum will be a very special venue and will put Oklahoma City in an advantageous position in the marketplace,” Oklahoma State Fair, Inc. President & CEO Kirk Slaughter said. “The Coliseum is designed to host the top equestrian and ag-related events in the world. The venue will be great for many sporting and entertainment events, including the productions held during the legendary Oklahoma State Fair. The Coliseum will be a game changer for Oklahoma City.”

The $126-million project is funded through MAPS 3, MAPS 4, hotel tax revenue and other funding sources.

History of Jim Norick Arena

State Fair Arena, as it was originally called, debuted in September 1965. Costing $2.4 million to build, the arena was financed in part by an OKC city bond with the remaining funds coming from the Oklahoma State Fair.

The arena was rechristened the Jim Norick Arena in 1971 to honor Oklahoma City’s elected mayor, who served from 1959-1963 and again from 1967-1971.

In 1974, legendary rodeo announcer Clem McSpadden arranged for an unknown singer named Reba McEntire from Chockie, Oklahoma, to sing the Star-Spangled Banner at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). Little did they know her Oklahoma City performance would change Reba’s life forever and set her rise to superstardom in motion.

Over the years, in addition to the NFR, the Jim Norick Arena hosted a wide variety of sporting events, horse shows, circus performances and iconic concerts including Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin, .38 Special and Chris LeDoux.

Learn more about the MAPS 3 and 4 Fairgrounds coliseum at okc.gov/government/maps-4/fairgrounds-coliseum.

[HOT ROD]

MAPS = Fairgrounds slush fund.

For all of the arguments that the fairgrounds generate this or have a revenue stream (both of which are true), can't help but notice more than 70% of the development cost of this and most fairgrounds projects are from MAPS or other city initiatives. And for the arguments that Paycom was fully publicly funded, it doesn't have a revenue stream like fairgrounds does (aka hotel-motel tax). It's not apples to apples, but the orange that always pops its head whenever there's a city initiative - yet they couldn't do any proposals to keep/maintain the heritage venues that have been removed.

This is my biggest beef with the fairgrounds, no transparency and yet they keep getting city funds. I'm not against them but can they at least be voted in by the public and/or have public review of their operations and master plans? You know, similar to all other MAPS projects - including Paycom.

[jerrywall]

^^ I can't figure out why the OKC fairgrounds doesn't have something like this - https://www.exposquare.com/p/about/public-information

Especially with the amount of public funds that get sent that way.

[TheTravellers]

^^ I can't figure out why the OKC fairgrounds doesn't have something like this - https://www.exposquare.com/p/about/public-information

Especially with the amount of public funds that get sent that way.

Because the powers in OKC don't want it that way and have successfully fought against it and there's currently no path that anybody knows to force them to do it. Guessing there would have to be lawsuits galore to get to that, and not sure anybody here in OKC has that much money, willpower, and perseverence.

[jn1780]

Random thought: Do the 23 new shovels that the taxpayers bought for a photo op go to city maintenance or donated? I love the pile of dirt they had to truck in and dump on the sidewalk. Even though the whole site will be a pile of dirt here in a few weeks.

[jerrywall]

Random thought: Do the 23 new shovels that the taxpayers bought for a photo op go to city maintenance or donated?

I can't speak for OKC but I have a couple of gold painted shovels from my dad's time as a councilman for Edmond from groundbreaking ceremonies.

[HOT ROD]

we can start with the city council, getting people who agree to hold these yokels accountable.

Not saying they can't be on the fair board or whatever, but can we have some public accountability? Can the public be at least invited to their master plan or know what it is? Can the public have a say if the fairgrounds should ALSO be included in MAPS? I hate that they continue to get added with the knowledge of a rubber stamp approval because the public wants other projects in the all-or-nothing game.

Again, Im not against development but I do think they should be held accountable just like the other MAPS projects which do have public involvement A-Z and are scrutinized heavily with periodic public meetings and status reports.

[Dob Hooligan]

^^^^
I do not agree.

I have been a business neighbor of the Fairgrounds for 40 years. I drive by and observe it over 350 days a year. It stays busy year round. The board of directors is a who’s-who of local business and civic leadership. There are no crooks.

I think leadership prefers to keep a low profile and isn’t concerned with making everyone aware of all that goes on there.

The only thing I really wish they would do is partner with next door neighbor OSU-OKC and open a 24 hour animal hospital on site. The fairgrounds are more full of high value animals than anywhere else in the city.

[HangryHippo]

The only thing I really wish they would do is partner with next door neighbor OSU-OKC and open a 24 hour animal hospital on site. The fairgrounds are more full of high value animals than anywhere else in the city.

This is a great idea, especially given the livestock focus of the “fair” now.