Paycom Center (formerly Chesapeake Arena)

[BoulderSooner]

I wouldn't bet on that. If that was the plan, we would have demod the Myriad a long time ago and just left the convention center side and added on to it instead of building a whole new structure.

lol it is the plan ... i am not guessing

[PhiAlpha]

lol it is the plan ... i am not guessing

Yeah just from a logical perspective it doesn't make sense to keep it. There are far fewer potential alternative uses for the Peak than there were for the the cox convention center after the new one was built. I would imagine building maintenance on it would be higher as well. If I were to guess...after the city realized that it would be decades before their original hypothetical plan to redevelop the cox site would be viable (especially after all the changes to office space needs post covid), they wanted to preserve the cox site for future use as the new arena location so they figured it was worth it to lease it to someone else for a years and continue operating it at a loss rather than knock it down and have the eyesore of a massive crater in the middle of downtown for an indefinite amount of time.

The Paycom site is smaller and should be easier to develop. It also wouldn't be near as big of an eyesore if it was an empty lot for a few years.

[jn1780]

scoreboard will just get moved to the new arena ..

That would be my first guess. But than I started thinking it won't be an old board, but it also wouldn't be a new board either. Its a lot easier to get funding for yet another new score board when its mixed in with a new arena's capital budget.

[BDP]

That would be my first guess. But than I started thinking it won't be an old board, but it also wouldn't be a new board either. Its a lot easier to get funding for yet another new score board when its mixed in with a new arena's capital budget.

I would guess that it just depends on what technological developments in video boards happens between now and then. If it's negligible and it fits in with designs, it can just be moved to the next arena. If there's some worthwhile advance in displays between now and then, or the design works better with a new concept, maybe a new board makes sense.

But the components of a new scoreboard could also be repurposed in the new arena for the other displays around the venue, just like they did with the old display at paycom when the new video board was installed.

[bombermwc]

That's my thought too. it'll stay at the Peak and the new place will get whatever it needs for 5 years from now. I don't think the Peake is going to be dozes (although some seem very adamant about that).

[Laramie]

That's my thought too. it'll stay at the Peak and the new place will get whatever it needs for 5 years from now. I don't think the Peake is going to be dozes (although some seem very adamant about that).

Agree, I think there will be a time ECHL AA hockey be on OKC's radar and the Paycom Center will be used much like BOK in Tulsa where the lower-bowl seating is used primarily for ice hockey especially once the new arena gets built.

With rivals Tulsa and Wichita, expect to see a return.

[Urbanized]

Paycom will be coming down in favor of new development. The talk of repurposing it for more events is a blind alley and a waste of everyone’s time and bandwidth. Believe it now or believe it later.

[warreng88]

Paycom will be coming down in favor of new development. The talk of repurposing it for more events is a blind alley and a waste of everyone’s time and bandwidth. Believe it now or believe it later.

How would you know?

oh, wait...

[PhiAlpha]

That's my thought too. it'll stay at the Peak and the new place will get whatever it needs for 5 years from now. I don't think the Peake is going to be dozes (although some seem very adamant about that).

Based on what exactly?

Everyone here who most likely would have an idea of what is going to happen to it are the ones you reference who are adamant it will be razed fairly quickly.

[PhiAlpha]

Agree, I think there will be a time ECHL AA hockey be on OKC's radar and the Paycom Center will be used much like BOK in Tulsa where the lower-bowl seating is used primarily for ice hockey especially once the new arena gets built.

With rivals Tulsa and Wichita, expect to see a return.

LOL. On what planet do you think it makes sense to keep maintaining Paycom for a hypothetical AA hockey team instead of that team just using the lower bowl of the brand new arena across the street that only has 41 days guaranteed to be booked during the 4-5 months of a AA hockey season?

[April in the Plaza]

LOL. On what planet do you think it makes sense to keep maintaining Paycom for a hypothetical AA hockey team instead of that team just using the lower bowl of the brand new arena across the street that only has 41 days guaranteed to be booked during the 4-5 months of a AA hockey season?

Agreed. The PC will be knocked down and the land will almost certainly become vested in a shadowy local development group pursuant to a sweet heart deal with The City.

[RodH]

What kind of new development? Are the developers local or new to this market? Will the two acres fronting the blvd be included in the new development?

[Laramie]

LOL. On what planet do you think it makes sense to keep maintaining Paycom for a hypothetical AA hockey team instead of that team just using the lower bowl of the brand new arena across the street that only has 41 days guaranteed to be booked during the 4-5 months of a AA hockey season?

My observation since the city has invested in upgrades (new seats and scoreboard). Besides, the new arena IMO will get its own scoreboard synced with the advertising rings that circle the new arena. You will probably see more lodge boxes with some suites in the new dig, with the bulk of seats in the lower bowl.

The Paycom Center (14,000 fixed seats) will also be good for PBR events too large for the new State Fair Coliseum (4,800 fixed seating capacity) which will be overbooked the first year it opens.

AA ECHL hockey IMO will offer an additional sport besides NBA; especially with rivals Tulsa and Wichita. You could use the same crew in the new arena with the Paycom Center if both arenas are in the same proximity. Also, look for a revival of the All College Tournament with the two arena option.

Like you said, keeping the Paycom open will be expensive; however, the longer it stays open (five years or longer) the more likely it will continue to be used b/c the city will have flexible booking with two arenas; both with updated amenities--something it didn't have with the antique Myriad. OKC Barons were a good brand of AAA hockey; poor management and bad arena IMO put a dagger in the heart of hockey. Plus, the new arena will open around 2027 or 2028.

OKC fans may be starved for something besides NBA ball. OKC could be a site for an NBA summer league using two arenas--centrally located makes it better suited than Sacramento or SLC.

Our attractiveness to bring in more jobs could see more added to my population estimates; especially since 20 of the 50 metros lost population: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrop...atistical_area Predict Raleigh & Oklahoma City will be larger than #40 MSA Milwaukee in 2030.--predict OKC's 'city population' will exceed 735,000 with over 1.625 million in the metro.

[Laramie]

Agreed. The PC will be knocked down and the land will almost certainly become vested in a shadowy local development group pursuant to a sweet heart deal with The City.

Our city is locked into an agreement with the Omni; city will need future hotels like the Dream development which includes mix-use; some of the
Dream development qualifies for TIF except the hotel portion.

City will be in no hurry to demolish Paycom Arena once a new arena is built. We have land in the central core and near the OKANA development
ripe for development. Unless something like a major headquarters is relocating to OKC, the Paycom Center will continue to stand--much like
the Myriad 4-square blocks have stood for 20 years longer since opening Paycom Center Arena.

[BoulderSooner]

City will be in no hurry to demolish Paycom Arena once a new arena is built.

you should pay attention to those in the know

[PhiAlpha]

My observation since the city has invested in upgrades (new seats and scoreboard). Besides, the new arena IMO will get its own scoreboard synced with the advertising rings that circle the new arena. You will probably see more lodge boxes with some suites in the new dig, with the bulk of seats in the lower bowl.

The Paycom Center (14,000 fixed seats) will also be good for PBR events too large for the new State Fair Coliseum (4,800 fixed seating capacity) which will be overbooked the first year it opens.

AA ECHL hockey IMO will offer an additional sport besides NBA; especially with rivals Tulsa and Wichita. You could use the same crew in the new arena with the Paycom Center if both arenas are in the same proximity. Also, look for a revival of the All College Tournament with the two arena option.

Like you said, keeping the Paycom open will be expensive; however, the longer it stays open (five years or longer) the more likely it will continue to be used b/c the city will have flexible booking with two arenas; both with updated amenities--something it didn't have with the antique Myriad. OKC Barons were a good brand of AAA hockey; poor management and bad arena IMO put a dagger in the heart of hockey. Plus, the new arena will open around 2027 or 2028.

OKC fans may be starved for something besides NBA ball. OKC could be a site for an NBA summer league using two arenas--centrally located makes it better suited than Sacramento or SLC.

Our attractiveness to bring in more jobs could see more added to my population estimates; especially since 20 of the 50 metros lost population: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrop...atistical_area Predict Raleigh & Oklahoma City will be larger than #40 MSA Milwaukee in 2030.--predict OKC's 'city population' will exceed 735,000 with over 1.625 million in the metro.

None of that makes any sense. The city would want any and all of those events to be held in the near $1 Billion development they just invested in across the street. All of the new seats and technology added to Paycom (that will likely be at least 4-5 years old by then) can be sold and/or used elsewhere. We don't need two arenas and everyone here who has a clue has said it will be torn down shortly after the new arena opens.

[Laramie]

None of that makes any sense. The city would want any and all of those events to be held in the near $1 Billion development they just invested in across the street. All of the new seats and technology added to Paycom (that will likely be at least 4-5 years old by then) can be sold and/or used elsewhere. We don't need two arenas and everyone here who has a clue has said it will be torn down shortly after the new arena opens.

I understand the financial concerns it will have keeping Paycom Center operational while we transition to the new arena. WE DON'T NEED A BILLION DOLLAR ARENA IN OKC, something in the $750 million range should keep us among top ten tier arenas in the NBA and top 50 MSA markets.

I can't help but think about the FFA event drawing 10,000 annual attendees that would have been better suited for a centrally located OKC going to Tulsa because our city couldn't guarantee a three year commitment. Granted, this isn't out-of-state money coming to our city; but to think we couldn't supply a major in-state convention benefiting our own state's FFA chapters; definitely a win for Tulsa.

True, we will have no trouble filling up the new arena which will not be to keen on ice hockey b/c of the condensation it creates being underneath the court. Our city deserves to have a choice in a variety of spectator sports. The new State Fair Coliseum has no plans for an ice rink or ice making equipment, also it's too small to support AA hockey and will be overbooked once it opens.

A billion dollars could buy OKC a quality state of the art $750 million NBA DT arena and a $291 million (includes $41 million MAPS 4 MPS), OKC could build a 40,000 seat single level multipurpose stadium capable of expansion and attracting MLS, USFL or XFL on the Oklahoma River near the OKANA Resort.

The FFA will want to return to OKC by the time the new arena is completed; we will have the same concerns about a 'three year commitment.' Will the FFA state chapters who favors a central location be turned down b/c our city can't make a longer term commitment. Think about the hotel nights in OKC lost on the FFA convention.

There's too much of MAPS' sales tax money invested in the Paycom Center; it's a shame that the total square footage wasn't an issue at the time the building was designed. The State's 5A and 6A basketball tournaments could be played in Paycom Center instead of Tulsa's Mabee Center or Norman's Lloyd Noble.

Recall, the NHL rejected OKC in 1997 expansion derby b/c the NHL thought we didn't have enough invested in our arena.

[bombermwc]

Unless you have been present for some conversation that says the city will absolutely tear down the PC, then i would suggest holding on that affirmation.

There are a lot of reasons to NOT tear it down. Keep in mind that the city is absolutely NOT going to sell or develop the land the PC is on now. We have a permanent land swap for rotating between arena locations next door to each other for the future. The city is not going to give that up only to have to buy land (at a premium) again in the near future. We're going to look at a new arena every what, 20-25 years? We aren't going to see the Myriad's grid restored for the same reason. That footprint may change from the sprawling concrete we see today, but not by as much as some people are trying to say.

So to the points above. As soon as the new arena opens, it opens with new arena pricing and the PC pricing gets downgraded for events. I wouldn't be surprised if things like smaller sports, graduations, etc. stay at the PC to get the lower rate. Same for the rodeos. For those events, they dont need the differences in sight lines that will be made specifically for basketball. The facility will have new chairs/etc. Not to mention the fact that the ability to host mens and womens regionals for the NCAA at the same time or potentially the SEC tourney (like KC did with the Big12) with it all downtown so both get the same access to a HIGH quality venue with hotels and activies/food/etc right there. That's a super big deal. Simliar to a NFL or college football stadium. It's not open for very many days a year, but when it is open, it's a big deal. Concessions will change and you'll see things reduced inside, but i would be absolutely shocked and amazed if it gets torn down.

Also, if it was being torn down in 5 years, we wouldn't have just bought new seats. That would have been redirected to the new arena. Can't, or more appropriately WONT) take those to the new building.

[chssooner]

Unless you have been present for some conversation that says the city will absolutely tear down the PC, then i would suggest holding on that affirmation.

There are a lot of reasons to NOT tear it down. Keep in mind that the city is absolutely NOT going to sell or develop the land the PC is on now. We have a permanent land swap for rotating between arena locations next door to each other for the future. The city is not going to give that up only to have to buy land (at a premium) again in the near future. We're going to look at a new arena every what, 20-25 years? We aren't going to see the Myriad's grid restored for the same reason. That footprint may change from the sprawling concrete we see today, but not by as much as some people are trying to say.

So to the points above. As soon as the new arena opens, it opens with new arena pricing and the PC pricing gets downgraded for events. I wouldn't be surprised if things like smaller sports, graduations, etc. stay at the PC to get the lower rate. Same for the rodeos. For those events, they dont need the differences in sight lines that will be made specifically for basketball. The facility will have new chairs/etc. Not to mention the fact that the ability to host mens and womens regionals for the NCAA at the same time or potentially the SEC tourney (like KC did with the Big12) with it all downtown so both get the same access to a HIGH quality venue with hotels and activies/food/etc right there. That's a super big deal. Simliar to a NFL or college football stadium. It's not open for very many days a year, but when it is open, it's a big deal. Concessions will change and you'll see things reduced inside, but i would be absolutely shocked and amazed if it gets torn down.

Also, if it was being torn down in 5 years, we wouldn't have just bought new seats. That would have been redirected to the new arena. Can't, or more appropriately WONT) take those to the new building.

Ah yes, paying 2x the maintenance costs for arenas that serve the same purpose right next to each other, except only one will have an anchor tenant. Seems like a worthy business prospect.

As soon as the arena is funded and being built, there will be bids put out for that land. No city can, in good fiscal conscience, have 2 arenas, and only 1 having an anchor tenant. It is folly of a major order, and I doubt Holt would allow it.

[April in the Plaza]

Unless you have been present for some conversation that says the city will absolutely tear down the PC, then i would suggest holding on that affirmation.

There are a lot of reasons to NOT tear it down. Keep in mind that the city is absolutely NOT going to sell or develop the land the PC is on now. We have a permanent land swap for rotating between arena locations next door to each other for the future. The city is not going to give that up only to have to buy land (at a premium) again in the near future. We're going to look at a new arena every what, 20-25 years? We aren't going to see the Myriad's grid restored for the same reason. That footprint may change from the sprawling concrete we see today, but not by as much as some people are trying to say.

So to the points above. As soon as the new arena opens, it opens with new arena pricing and the PC pricing gets downgraded for events. I wouldn't be surprised if things like smaller sports, graduations, etc. stay at the PC to get the lower rate. Same for the rodeos. For those events, they dont need the differences in sight lines that will be made specifically for basketball. The facility will have new chairs/etc. Not to mention the fact that the ability to host mens and womens regionals for the NCAA at the same time or potentially the SEC tourney (like KC did with the Big12) with it all downtown so both get the same access to a HIGH quality venue with hotels and activies/food/etc right there. That's a super big deal. Simliar to a NFL or college football stadium. It's not open for very many days a year, but when it is open, it's a big deal. Concessions will change and you'll see things reduced inside, but i would be absolutely shocked and amazed if it gets torn down.

Also, if it was being torn down in 5 years, we wouldn't have just bought new seats. That would have been redirected to the new arena. Can't, or more appropriately WONT) take those to the new building.

Not Necessarily. Those seats are basically no more than a rounding error in the grand scheme of Billion Dollar sports ball arenas.

[jn1780]

Not Necessarily. Those seats are basically no more than a rounding error in the grand scheme of Billion Dollar sports ball arenas.

Yeah, the new seats are just the cost of doing business. 5 years would be a decent run.

[SEMIweather]

Unless you have been present for some conversation that says the city will absolutely tear down the PC, then i would suggest holding on that affirmation.

There are a lot of reasons to NOT tear it down. Keep in mind that the city is absolutely NOT going to sell or develop the land the PC is on now. We have a permanent land swap for rotating between arena locations next door to each other for the future. The city is not going to give that up only to have to buy land (at a premium) again in the near future. We're going to look at a new arena every what, 20-25 years? We aren't going to see the Myriad's grid restored for the same reason. That footprint may change from the sprawling concrete we see today, but not by as much as some people are trying to say.

So to the points above. As soon as the new arena opens, it opens with new arena pricing and the PC pricing gets downgraded for events. I wouldn't be surprised if things like smaller sports, graduations, etc. stay at the PC to get the lower rate. Same for the rodeos. For those events, they dont need the differences in sight lines that will be made specifically for basketball. The facility will have new chairs/etc. Not to mention the fact that the ability to host mens and womens regionals for the NCAA at the same time or potentially the SEC tourney (like KC did with the Big12) with it all downtown so both get the same access to a HIGH quality venue with hotels and activies/food/etc right there. That's a super big deal. Simliar to a NFL or college football stadium. It's not open for very many days a year, but when it is open, it's a big deal. Concessions will change and you'll see things reduced inside, but i would be absolutely shocked and amazed if it gets torn down.

Also, if it was being torn down in 5 years, we wouldn't have just bought new seats. That would have been redirected to the new arena. Can't, or more appropriately WONT) take those to the new building.

As a "starter arena", I'm fine with the fact that Paycom is going to be replaced after 25 years or so. But I would hope that this next one is going to have a longer lifespan.

[PhiAlpha]

Unless you have been present for some conversation that says the city will absolutely tear down the PC, then i would suggest holding on that affirmation.

There are a lot of reasons to NOT tear it down. Keep in mind that the city is absolutely NOT going to sell or develop the land the PC is on now. We have a permanent land swap for rotating between arena locations next door to each other for the future. The city is not going to give that up only to have to buy land (at a premium) again in the near future. We're going to look at a new arena every what, 20-25 years? We aren't going to see the Myriad's grid restored for the same reason. That footprint may change from the sprawling concrete we see today, but not by as much as some people are trying to say.

So to the points above. As soon as the new arena opens, it opens with new arena pricing and the PC pricing gets downgraded for events. I wouldn't be surprised if things like smaller sports, graduations, etc. stay at the PC to get the lower rate. Same for the rodeos. For those events, they dont need the differences in sight lines that will be made specifically for basketball. The facility will have new chairs/etc. Not to mention the fact that the ability to host mens and womens regionals for the NCAA at the same time or potentially the SEC tourney (like KC did with the Big12) with it all downtown so both get the same access to a HIGH quality venue with hotels and activies/food/etc right there. That's a super big deal. Simliar to a NFL or college football stadium. It's not open for very many days a year, but when it is open, it's a big deal. Concessions will change and you'll see things reduced inside, but i would be absolutely shocked and amazed if it gets torn down.

Also, if it was being torn down in 5 years, we wouldn't have just bought new seats. That would have been redirected to the new arena. Can't, or more appropriately WONT) take those to the new building.

lol. The city is definitely going to put out an RFP to redevelop the land. They aren’t going to keep a huge piece of vacant land or an obsolete arena in the middle of downtown around for 25-30 years, maybe longer, just for the potential to build another arena on it in the future. That is just laughable.

[jn1780]

As a "starter arena", I'm fine with the fact that Paycom is going to be replaced after 25 years or so. But I would hope that this next one is going to have a longer lifespan.

Agreed. Its more than just being old why Paycom needs to be replaced. There is not enough land and it wasn't really designed in a way for expansion.

Either way there not going to keep Paycom around for 30 plus more years as a placeholder for a future new arena. I don't even think the site would be big enough if you demolished the hotel and parking garage next door.

[Urbanized]

Unless you have been present for some conversation that says the city will absolutely tear down the PC, then i would suggest holding on that affirmation...

Like I said before, believe me now or believe me later. Paycom will be torn down and the site redeveloped. I rarely make firm pronouncements/predictions of this type on this board, and pretty sure my record when doing so speaks for itself.