Life expectancy of the Ford Center

[Patrick]

If and when we do land an NBA or NHL team that is our own, we need to keep in mind that the Ford Center will probably only have a life expectancy of 20-30 years. Sure, it was built to NBA/NHL specifications, but it simply isn't as nice as most of the other NBA/NHL arenas around the country. Once we get that pro team, 20+ years from now we need to consider building a state of the art sports arena. There's nothing wrong with the Ford Center, but at the same time, there's nothing special about it either. It's useable for now.

[Patrick]

I suppose the Ford Center could be remodeled, giving it a bigger and better exterior look, upgrading the concourse floors from Crossroads Mall glazed concrete to nice tile, etc.

[okcpulse]

Hehehehe... liked the way you described that, Patrick.

[Patrick]

Although arenas like the AA Center in Dallas and the Pepsi Center in Denver look much more attractive than the Ford Center, I'd say the Ford Center is comparable to some of the other NBA arenas.

Check out Charlotte's new arena. It's a little more appealing to the eye than the Ford Center, but not by much.

[Patrick]

Personally, I think the Ford Center looks better than the barn-looking SBC Center in San Antonio:

[Decious]

Mick Cornett stated that during negotiations with city officials, the NBA rated the Ford Center in the middle third of all NBA arenas.

[Decious]

Personally, I think the Ford Center looks better than the barn-looking SBC Center in San Antonio:

I agree. I also think that the Bok Center in Tulsa will look better than the Sprint Center in Kansas City.(Although it should be noted that ever rising material costs may significantly alter the final appearence of both buildings, being that glass is heavily incorporated into both designs.)

[Patrick]

I was wondering about that, because many of the New Orleans people have been saying that our arena sucked, and was only built to meet the "minimum" qualifications of the NBA/NHL. I guess they're still taking it out on our city.

Anyways, I still think we got a bargain on the Ford Center. Sure, it doesn't have some of the nicer amenities, but we can add them later. Fortunately, before all of this happened, we went ahead and finished out all of the suites.

[metro]

man, no offense but yes, if anyone says OKC is hickish, view the San Antonio arena

[Patrick]

I never understood why the city of San Antonion decided to move the Spurs out of the Alamo Dome and into a new arena. I suppose the Alamo Dome was designed more for football.

[Patrick]

man, no offense but yes, if anyone says OKC is hickish, view the San Antonio arena

The first two tenants of the SBC center were the Spurs and the San Antonio Rodeo, so I guess that explains it.

[Pete]

The Ford Center could be easily upgraded and I would expect that to happen if we signed a long-term deal with a pro franchise.

It's a basic facility and was built that way on purpose.

As it turns out, it was a very smart and efficient move.

[swake]

Is that really the SBC center in San Antonio? That's just awful. God I really hate that city. The river is boring and the city is the poorest I have ever seen save New Orleans pre Hurricane. Just an armpit, next to a really cool city in Austin. Go figure.

Anyway, I think the Sprint Center will be very good, it's just one of those things that will look better built than on paper. Both the BOk Center and the Sprint Center will be as designed, they are really pretty far beyond the change state, Tulsa's is fully designed and underway.

There was a thing in the news about a $3 million overrun on the glass wall. That money will be coming out of contingency funds or the redo of the convention center. The idea has been floated to forego the exterior changes on Tulsa's convention center if needed and have that worked funded in a future bond issue. But that is only an option that will be used if the rise in prices for construction takes all the contengency funds.

Really, steel prices are better than they were a year or so ago, and that is a huge part of the cost. Home building supplies like lumber and sheetrock are going to go way up due to New Orleans, but neither are a big price driver on a building like the BOk Center

[Decious]

There was a thing in the news about a $3 million overrun on the glass wall. That money will be coming out of contingency funds or the redo of the convention center. The idea has been floated to forego the exterior changes on Tulsa's convention center if needed and have that worked funded in a future bond issue. But that is only an option that will be used if the rise in prices for construction takes all the contengency funds.

Cool. I read about the glass issue on Batesline I think. He was on some conspiracy slant about the whole thing. Glad to hear the glass aspects of the arena will be as designed. After seeing the renderings for so long, it would've been kind of a let down to see it absent or altered significantly.

[gnomeok]

I was wondering about that, because many of the New Orleans people have been saying that our arena sucked, and was only built to meet the "minimum" qualifications of the NBA/NHL. I guess they're still taking it out on our city.

I actually don't see what is so special about the boxy New Orleans arena. I'd post the link...but alas...post restrictions.

[writerranger]

Check out Charlotte's new arena. It's a little more appealing to the eye than the Ford Center, but not by much.

A little???? Are you kidding? Charlotte's arena is a hundred times nicer than the Ford Center. I agree though that the Ford Center is a nice, spartan arena. It serves its purpose, but that's all.

[Patrick]

It's better than the SBC Center in San Antonio.

[writerranger]

It's better than the SBC Center in San Antonio.

Oh, Patrick, no doubt about that! As far as design goes there is no comparison. I can't stand that barn look.

[Patrick]

I agree with you though. Charlotte's arena is much nicer. There's nothing special about the Ford Center. It's just plain and simple. But, for $89 million, what did we expect. I think we got a pretty good deal for what we spent.

I consider the Ford Center to be like a starter house. Once we attract our own NBA team, they can play there for 10-20 years. Then we can build them a much nicer arena south of the existing one.

[Patrick]

After looking at pics of many other arenas around the league, I would agree that the Ford Center is in the middle third.

Here are some arenas that I would place below the Ford Center:

1. SBC Center (San Antonio): See picture in other thread

2. AA Arena (Home of Miami Heat):


3. Air Canada Centre (Home of Toronto Raptors):


4. Canseco Fieldhouse (Home of Indiana Pacers):

[Patrick]

More arenas that aren't very attractive, are below the Ford Center in quality/appearance, or are comparable to the Ford Center:

Continental Airlines Arena (NJ Nets):



New Orleans Arena (NO Hornets):



Palace of Auburn Hills (Detroit Pistons):



United Center (Chicago):

[Patrick]

And Californians think we're hicks? This facility used to be home to the Golden State Warriors and the San Jose Sharks.