Shortage of convention space
Who would've ever thought we would've been faced with this problem. With the Hornets coming to town, we have a shortage of convention space. SMG is suggesting that if we land a permanent NBA team, that the Cox arena stay, and that the city look for more convention space.
I agree! Personally, I think the convention center needs to be epxanded to the south to match what was added on the south side. That would be a start. Eventually, maybe we could close Reno between the Ford Center and convention center, and expand the convention center further southward.
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"Convention space shortage prompts time, venue changes
By Steve Lackmeyer
The Oklahoman
A shortage of convention space, unthinkable for Oklahoma City just a few years ago, is forcing some events to change schedules or to move to other venues because of renovations at the Cox Convention Center and the arrival of the Hornets at the Ford Center.
Typically, fall is the slowest time for the old Cox Convention Center arena, making this the ideal time to tear up the building’s exhibit hall floors as part of ongoing renovations.
But nothing is typical about the task facing Gary Dejardins, whose company, SMG, operates the two city venues.
Just a few months ago, Desjardins faced a slower concert tour slate and plentiful open dates at both the 34-year-old, 13,500-seat Cox Convention Center arena and the 3-year-old, 20,000-seat Ford Center.
The sudden move of the Hornets to Ford Center from New Orleans filled up 37 dates at Ford Center, and prompted the Oklahoma City Blazers ice hockey team to move seven of its games to the Cox arena. Torn-up floors in the convention center’s three biggest exhibit halls have filled up even more dates in the Cox arena.
“We’ve been fortunate in that we have two arenas - that’s what has allowed us to accommodate most of the dates on the Hornets’ schedule,” Desjardins said. “The Blazers have helped by being willing to move some of their games to the Cox arena.”
Those Blazers games, coupled with trade shows moved from the closed exhibit halls, are making for one of the busiest seasons for the older arena since the opening of Ford Center in 2002.
In most instances, organizations such as the Oklahoma Hospital Association or shows such as “Sesame Street Live” were able to find new dates or move from the exhibit halls into the older Cox arena. But at least one event may be canceled because of the city’s improved fortunes.
Master Sgt. Mike Joseph, an ROTC instructor at Southeast High School, is working with SMG to find a new date for the annual Oklahoma Invitation Drill Meet. The meet was expected to draw up to 2,000 students from 40 schools across the region, but the Dec. 3 date was complicated by the inability of SMG to dismantle the Blazers ice rink from their Dec. 2 game at the Cox arena.
Joseph has since called State Fair Park only to learn its arena and exhibit buildings are booked with equine and gun shows. So he’s back to working with SMG, hoping to find a new date.
“It’s no fault of the people at Cox and Ford Center,” Joseph said. “Everyone is working very hard with us. But it does appear as if we’re running out of options.”
Desjardins said he thinks the schedule will ease up once the exhibit hall floors are finished in a few months. Changes will add more utility boxes, making the halls more accessible for modern trade shows.
But long-range plans to convert half of the old arena into more exhibit space already were being rethought after the city was named host to the 2007 Big 12 Basketball Tournament. The tournament will require both arenas - one for men’s teams, one for women’s teams.
If the Hornets stay, or if Oklahoma City lands a permanent NBA team, Desjardins suspects the second arena will stay intact and city leaders may need to look at alternatives for expanded convention space.
“It presents us with a new opportunity,” Desjardins said."
Originally Posted by metro
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