University Town Center

[Jersey Boss]

Man, I hope you're right Jersey. A new facility on the current LNC location would be absolutely ideal as the UNP arena idea is so unappealing for a myriad of reasons. Is this legit or just your opinion?

An opinion formed when told of the possibility by OU connected administrative staff.
As mentioned in another post it would be land transfered like the FAM. It was told that with baseball, softball, and the golf course being close to the LNC it would be a natural fit. There would be baggage putting it by a casino

[Rover]

An opinion formed when told of the possibility by OU connected administrative staff.
As mentioned in another post it would be land transfered like the FAM. It was mentioned that with baseball, softball, and golf course being close to the LNC it would be a natural fit. There would be baggage putting it by a casino

A fit, except for the fans.

Failing to see any synergy between a baseball or softball game and a basketball game, or a round of golf. Proximity is not synergy. There is no leveraging one for the benefit of another. Now, if they were to build a large entertainment area around them all with shops, restaurants, etc., maybe all would benefit. Oh wait.... Norman doesn't want that. It would rather attract 50 audience members from Purcell than 5,000 from OKC and Moore.

[SEMIweather]

A fit, except for the fans.

OU and Norman development patterns make the current LNC location more and more appealing with each passing year.

[PhiAlpha]

LOL.. Whitewashing what was done doesn't change it. And I said it would be IRONY. No one said anything about forcing them to do anything. At least they now have some freedom to make their own decisions about whether to engage or not. As to them "giving back"... lol. They may just trying to get back to even. More power to them.

That said, I don't think we have seen anything but some internet suggestion with no attributable sources (or even un-attributable) that they will bail out the state again by underwriting what Norman isn't willing to.

more dumb crap per usual 😂

[Rover]

more dumb crap per usual 😂

In other words, you don't have a defense that doesn't sound made up or political.

[PhiAlpha]

In other words, you don't have a defense that doesn't sound made up or political.

In other words…you responded stupidly to my response to your initial stupid post.

[BimmerSooner]

I don't think it would be just an arena. The south side of Norman along HWY 9 extending from Jenkins Avenue to 48th Avenue SE is poised for significant development growth over the next 5 years. Several projects approved, several more to come. With the west side being almost tapped out (restrictions on development density and the floodplain), this is the new growth area--along with northeast Norman. Restaurants and retail ("Entertainment District") would do well here and, as mentioned, complement the plethora of almost year 'round sporting events within a very small radius--OU and summer camps, etc.

[Thunderbolt]

If it doesn't happen, OUs basketball programs will die. Simple as that. Not literally, but figuratively, they will be dead. No one will care or want to go. No coach worth their salt will want to work for a school in a community that doesn't care about their success.

some would argue it's already dead.

[PhiAlpha]

And I don't think it would be just an arena. The south side of Norman along HWY 9 extending from Jenkins Avenue to 48th Avenue SE is poised for significant development growth over the next 5 years. Several projects approved, several more to come. With the west side being almost tapped out (restrictions on development density and the floodplain), this is the new growth area--along with northeast Norman. Restaurants and retail ("Entertainment District") would do well here and, as mentioned, complement the plethora of almost year 'round sporting events within a very small radius--OU and summer camps, etc.

At this point, any replacement for LNC thats in or around Norman is the best answer.

[BoulderSooner]

OU and Norman development patterns make the current LNC location more and more appealing with each passing year.

not remotely ..

the majority of OU basketball ticket holders (and fan base live well north of Norman

[bamarsha]

Move all LNC activities to McCasland Field House for a year and see how that goes. During that time, demo LNC with plans on building a new facility there, if McCasland doesn't work (need a bigger arena).

[SEMIweather]

Move all LNC activities to McCasland Field House for a year and see how that goes. During that time, demo LNC with plans on building a new facility there, if McCasland doesn't work (need a bigger arena).

McCasland in its current state is unworkable as a basketball facility, there’s a reason OU only plays one game per year there. They’d either build the new arena in a corner of the current LNC parking lot, or on the south side of GT Blankenship Boulevard.

[SEMIweather]

Duplicate

[LRSooner]

An opinion formed when told of the possibility by OU connected administrative staff.
As mentioned in another post it would be land transfered like the FAM. It was told that with baseball, softball, and the golf course being close to the LNC it would be a natural fit. There would be baggage putting it by a casino

Pardon my ignorance, but what is meant by FAM? So you're saying the casino would take possession of the LNC land in exchange for a new facility that would house OU sports? Above my paygrade I guess.

[OkieinGeorgia]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is meant by FAM? So you're saying the casino would take possession of the LNC land in exchange for a new facility that would house OU sports? Above my paygrade I guess.

First Americans Museum. I believe the land was given to CNI so they would bail out the museum and in return got the land to develop Okana. Others more knowledgeable can verify this, but that's what I remember.

[BoulderSooner]

Move all LNC activities to McCasland Field House for a year and see how that goes. During that time, demo LNC with plans on building a new facility there, if McCasland doesn't work (need a bigger arena).

there are more season tickets holders then seats in mccasland holds ..

[PhiAlpha]

First Americans Museum. I believe the land was given to CNI so they would bail out the museum and in return got the land to develop Okana. Others more knowledgeable can verify this, but that's what I remember.

Basically correct.

[bamarsha]

McCasland in its current state is unworkable as a basketball facility, there’s a reason OU only plays one game per year there. They’d either build the new arena in a corner of the current LNC parking lot, or on the south side of GT Blankenship Boulevard.

Why can they play one game there, but not more? That's a figment of your imagination. It may not be a long-term solution, but it CAN work for the short-term. Proof, it worked in the past.

[bamarsha]

there are more season tickets holders then seats in mccasland holds ..

Just think, we could have sell-outs with a full arena, not empty seats everywhere! Have a season ticket lottery until a more permanent solution arrives. Higher ticket prices to somewhat compensate (supply and demand).

[BoulderSooner]

Why can they play one game there, but not more? That's a figment of your imagination. It may not be a long-term solution, but it CAN work for the short-term. Proof, it worked in the past.

the field house game last year was ONLY students ... this year it was students and a very select few donors ..

[bison34]

There is not a chance in Hades that the Chickasaw tribe will build an arena in Norman.

[bamarsha]

the field house game last year was ONLY students ... this year it was students and a very select few donors ..

I still fail to see your point. The average attendance through 13 games this season is 6,576. The current capacity is of McCasland is 5,000. Put some students courtside, attendance is only down 1,000 people or so... but it looks packed.

Remember, the entire point of this entire thread is that not many people go to the games now anyway (and LNC is old and outdated). Then you can build a brand new facility where the LNC is now. If you want to move it somewhere else and want to accommodate as many people as possible (focusing on the OKC crowd), rent out the Paycom Center (with a 18,023 capacity)... scheduling around the Thunder, of course.

[Jersey Boss]

THE UNP arena is still very much a possibility

OU MBB winning the SEC post season tourney is still a possibility. Like the arena proposal not a probability

[Jersey Boss]

I don't think it would be just an arena. The south side of Norman along HWY 9 extending from Jenkins Avenue to 48th Avenue SE is poised for significant development growth over the next 5 years. Several projects approved, several more to come. With the west side being almost tapped out (restrictions on development density and the floodplain), this is the new growth area--along with northeast Norman. Restaurants and retail ("Entertainment District") would do well here and, as mentioned, complement the plethora of almost year 'round sporting events within a very small radius--OU and summer camps, etc.

This

[TornadoKegan]

lots of land near riverwind .. and that is not in norman city limits ..

It doesn't technically have to be over by riverwind. I was thinking maybe they build a bridge over the Canadian river on Jenkins. It would turn into Ladd avenue on the other side of the river. I would say put it on Center and Ladd. Best of all it would only be three miles from the current Lloyd Noble Center. Better than the six miles it would be near riverwind and 8 miles over in UNP