New State Fair Coliseum

[bombermwc]

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

That's sort of the root right? It may be that it's entirely up to snuff. But when it's done in a black box where no one gets to know what is happening, then people start assuming that it's nefarious. I mean there's plenty of that going on here.

When you allow the public to be aware, that means they start asking for accountability. I really think that's part of the root problem....it doesn't at least APPEAR, that they want to have that public input/accountability. It's pretty cozy today. They say what they want, and the city provides. They claim without X, that the horses will leave, so the city provides. Now, these guys aren't getting extra money in their pockets for this (i'm going to make that assumption) rather the product they are pushing (fairgrounds) is getting the amenities that they want.

When this project is done, my hope is that they put the same amount of interest in to the rest of the grounds. We should be plum out of horse crap (pun). Let's focus on making the grounds themselves of the same quality. This many millions of dollars would go a LONG way for landscaping and spaces.

[HOT ROD]

so because the fair board is full of who's who, then we dont need to hold them accountable. Got it. Sounds like good ole boy and exactly what has been allowed to happened to the fairgrounds. So and so is on the board so they get carte blanche and also get #1 spot on MAPS with 70% funding paid-in-full.

This IS the problem Dob H. You like the fair/practices as-is because it benefits you personally/professionally. But that doesn't mean its right for the city or a normal citizen. And again, I'm not saying the fair board should change, just that we should have them account for their actions especially since they always show up for city initiative dollars and expect everyone to line up. They have dedicated funding sources that other venues DONT and they supposedly have such a big impact - so why can't they be more self functioning since they dont want to be accountable to the public?

They're having their cake and eating it too, and first at that. This is what's wrong and needs to change, not necessarily the board or their mission (as long as the public is informed and approves).

[Laramie]

Many of members on the State Fair Board are honorable and they serve as a civic duty without pay.

We lost all the major iconic structures (Space Tower, Monorail, Grandstand Speedway, Derrick clock tower, Spirit of '76 Arch) were historic symbols of the State Fair Park.

The speedway was unpopular with neighborhoods because of the noise it generated within a mile radius.

What we could replace with estimates:

Space Tower ($20 million & Monorail ($5 million)

Derrick Tower Clock ($2 million) & Arch Entrance ($2 million)

Space Tower was 330 feet high/ $450,000 in 1968 - OKC budget $20 million (600 feet tower)

Monorail, OKC budget $5 million to circle the fair.
Tower Clock 70 feet - OKC budget $2 million
Arch entrance 100 feet OKC budget $2 million

Oklahoma State Fair could replace these 4 structures with a $30 million budget.


.

[gaeddert2]

Drone view Month 1 of the construction video on Youtube at https://youtu.be/j_5cYyF2RzQ

[Pete]

Drone view Month 1 of the construction video on Youtube at https://youtu.be/j_5cYyF2RzQ

Fantastic.

Thanks so much.

[Pete]

They are moving very fast.

You can already see part of the footing.

[chssooner]

This might be another tower crane development. It may not be tall or urban enough to need one, but it will have a few cranes, to be sure.

[Laramie]

Truly going to miss the Fairgrounds Arena. First learned to ice skate there, watched All College Tournament in-the-round when moved from the Municipal Auditorium. Impressed with the progress Oklahoma City has made as a result of MAPS initiatives.

Thanks for the pics, Pete.

[Pete]

In the second photo, you can see the outline of the arena floor:

[Pete]

Moving fast:

[Laramie]

Wow!

The construction is moving fast. Pete you have been keeping us informed with updates on many projects. Thanks so much for this update.

[gjl]

That's where the gate was that we always go in and where you enter when you park off the Reno entrance. I wonder what they are going to do about that. Tons pf people use that gate entrance.

[Pete]

That's where the gate was that we always go in and where you enter when you park off the Reno entrance. I wonder what they are going to do about that. Tons pf people use that gate entrance.

It will still go through but you'll have to drive around the new coliseum:

[warreng88]

That's where the gate was that we always go in and where you enter when you park off the Reno entrance. I wonder what they are going to do about that. Tons pf people use that gate entrance.

Yeah, we are going to see Disney on Ice in September and usually park off Reno (where you are talking about) to walk to the entrance on the east side. There is an entrance on the NE side near the Bennett Event Center that I am guessing everyone will have to enter through. I would assume everyone will have to walk around the construction to the west to get to it. We are going to park about 30 minutes before to make sure we get there on time.

[gjl]

It will still go through but you'll have to drive around the new coliseum

I mean the walk through gate and the ticket booth. Those are gone now. There was also a motorized scooter place right at that gate. I just reserved a couple of scooters to pick up at that gate location for this years fair. Also I wonder where the rides and games (midway) will be set up now. That new arena site is pretty much where they always were.

[jn1780]

Yeah, we are going to see Disney on Ice in September and usually park off Reno (where you are talking about) to walk to the entrance on the east side. There is an entrance on the NE side near the Bennett Event Center that I am guessing everyone will have to enter through. I would assume everyone will have to walk around the construction to the west to get to it. We are going to park about 30 minutes before to make sure we get there on time.

There's an entrance from the main barn to the NW. It doesn't really get used except by people using the barn. I assume this year that will change though and people will enter the fair or arena from the mega barn or walk all the way to land rush street.

[Pete]

[Laramie]

[Laramie]

There have been so many different designs; don't know if this is the latest.

[Dob Hooligan]

I’m not searching in advance, so as to stimulize discussion…. But was the Norick Arena Lobby a MAPS project? And are we now into the multi-generation civic upgrade territory? I think that is a good thing.

[Laramie]

I’m not searching in advance, so as to stimulize discussion…. But was the Norick Arena Lobby a MAPS project? And are we now into the multi-generation civic upgrade territory? I think that is a good thing.

IIRC they built the lobby portion of the SFA apart of original MAPS funds, erected around 1996. The Fairgrounds was credited with the increase in the hotel-motel tax revenue which supported city sales taxes and MAPS.

The new coliseum will be booked solid with horse shows and related events by the time it is constructed; also we built the Bennett Events Center much like an exhibition hall to support the arena-coliseum related exhibits.

The new State Fair Coliseum will seat about 4,700 in its 21-inch padded seats for horse shows. Retractable seating will allow up to 7,500 seats in different layouts for events like bull riding, concerts and basketball games.

IMO if we get the new downtown arena built; hang on to the Paycom Center for at least five years before any decision will be made on it. Events like AA ice hockey where you have Tulsa and Wichita (Natural Rivals) in the ECHL probably could survive with more events added. Having two arenas could allow more scheduling flexibility
with the Oklahoma City Blue in the development league.

The new $1 billion arena if built on the 4 square block PSM site could be used primarily for NBA games and concerts, once it's booked, overflow could go toward Paycom Center Arena. Resurrect the All College basketball tournament (Once, the nation's oldest holiday tournament) with the option to play in the new arena or Paycom Center. Oklahoma State University, Universities of Oklahoma or Tulsa to host the All College Tournament in an 8-team original format; that will benefit downtown hotel room occupancy.

Oklahoma City 2022-23 tourism of 23.2 million visitors with an economic impact of $4.3 billion continues to grow.

OKC (IMO) could be just as competitive as Sacramento or Salt Lake City in hosting an NBA Summer League tournament using both arenas. The recent opening of the FAM museum, Oklahoma City Riversport Rapids, Oklahoma City National Memorial, Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Improved OKC Zoo, Remington Park Racetrack/Casino, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and Rother Shrine (NA); much anticipated opening of OKANA in 2025. More places to go--plenty of things to do.

[Pete]

[Pete]

Went to the State Fair yesterday and it was weird to see the new construction popping up right behind the midway:

[Laramie]

Pete or anyone in the know, do you have an update of the exterior of the new State Fair Coliseum...



The above pic is the last rendering I've seen.

[Anonymous.]

I will say I enjoyed this layout of the fair a lot. It seemed way less confusing and cluttered.