University Town Center

[jedicurt]

Can't disagree with you on the modern student walking all the way down there. Many of us walked down there to watch during the Kelvin Sampson era. Never missed a game!

Personally, I don't mind a new arena there at the Town Center. I agree with what you're saying leaving to a fun lively atmosphere. That being said, I would rather it be on campus so I can directly impact my kids in the brainwashing while walking through campus to get to games. I would've liked the old field house to be renovated and added on to. Supposedly that wasn't an option so UTC will be cool. It will also be neat to see the OU branding right there for everyone to see on 35.

the field house is set up for wrestling, volleyball, and Men's Gymnastics. there really isn't another facility on campus for them to move to. and if they keep getting rid of parking on campus to keep building big projects, then it will hurt attendance of these smaller sports

[BG918]

My question still stands about students walking there. Never see foot traffic between the campus and Lloyd Nobel when I go to bb games. But parking lot is active. Bball being a winter sport is usually at night most likely discourages pedestrian activity when dark and cold and a pretty fair hike.

And yes, as I agreed it is technically it on campus but not central and not conveniently located. For the few dozen more students who might walk there are thousands of alums who would appreciate a more convenient and time efficient location, not to mention a lively atmosphere in and outside of the arena itself. Leaving the game and going next door for a beer and nachos waiting for traffic to clear is way more appealing than walking past darkened classroom buildings to a parking garage or out into a dark lot.

From campus you can walk to Campus Corner, an existing entertainment district that absolutely will suffer if the arena/entertainment district is built by I-35.

I’ve talked to several fans of SEC teams that have made the trip to Norman this football season. For most it was their first time visiting. Overall they liked the campus (especially the trees/ landscaping) and how the campus and neighborhoods blend together with Campus Corner. They also said our tailgating seemed lame in comparison to other SEC schools (which is true) and that Campus Corner was not as good as comparable college-adjacent bar/entertainment districts. When I told them the university wanted to build a new basketball arena further from campus next to the interstate they couldn’t believe that was real.

[jedicurt]

and that Campus Corner was not as good as comparable college-adjacent bar/entertainment districts.

and this won't change, even if the basketball arena is built on campus. Campus Corners downfall is solely an issue of ownership of the land in Campus Corner, and that isn't changing anytime soon.

if your argument that we shouldn't build the arena next to a brand new entertainment district that could be amazing, but we don't no, but should build it next to the existing bad entertainment district that won't be changing anytime soon, then i don't think you are fully thinking this out.

[bamarsha]

the field house is set up for wrestling, volleyball, and Men's Gymnastics. there really isn't another facility on campus for them to move to. and if they keep getting rid of parking on campus to keep building big projects, then it will hurt attendance of these smaller sports

It was home of the basketball teams until 1975... so it could be done. But the capacity would be very small, like about 5,000 or so... which, unfortunately, still might not sell out. Interestingly enough, the OU men did play a regular season basketball game there in 2023, though against Arkansas-Pine Bluff... and only students were allowed in to be fans.

[bison34]

It was home of the basketball teams until 1975... so it could be done. But the capacity would be very small, like about 5,000 or so... which, unfortunately, still might not sell out. Interestingly enough, the OU men did play a regular season basketball game there in 2023, though against Arkansas-Pine Bluff... and only students were allowed in to be fans.

OU sells out quite a few games, people just don't attend. There is a difference....

[BoulderSooner]

It was home of the basketball teams until 1975... so it could be done. But the capacity would be very small, like about 5,000 or so... which, unfortunately, still might not sell out. Interestingly enough, the OU men did play a regular season basketball game there in 2023, though against Arkansas-Pine Bluff... and only students were allowed in to be fans.

OU has had over 9,000 season tickets holders in all but a few of the last 25 seasons ..

[bamarsha]

OU sells out quite a few games, people just don't attend. There is a difference....

Yeah, sorry, that was some disappointed sarcasm on my part. You are right.