Paycom Center (formerly Chesapeake Arena)

[Pete]

Great photo from a week ago shows the progress on the new SW entrance:


Chesapeake Energy Arena by nash.zach, on Flickr

[dankrutka]

The more I think about it the more ridiculous it is that the grand entrance faces that direction. It'll be years before there's significant development to the south of the arena. Most people are still going to enter on the north side of the arena. Just doesn't make sense unless development was already planned and started... Please tell me why I'm wrong because I hope someone thought through this better than I did?!?

[dankrutka]

Great pic though. Thanks!

[MDot]

The more I think about it the more ridiculous it is that the grand entrance faces that direction. It'll be years before there's significant development to the south of the arena. Most people are still going to enter on the north side of the arena. Just doesn't make sense unless development was already planned and started... Please tell me why I'm wrong because I hope someone thought through this better than I did?!?

You're wrong because I said so!

In all seriousness though, we share the same opinion. Anyone care to elaborate for Kilgore and I?

[ljbab728]

You're wrong because I said so!

In all seriousness though, we share the same opinion. Anyone care to elaborate for Kilgore and I?

I'm not sure I understand what the development of the surrounding area necessarily has to to with where people will be entering from. The areas where people park will be a major deciding factor in that unless they go to eat first. There aren't many restaurants on the North side unless you count the hotels. I agree that the South side was the best area for the major new entrance enhancments. In the big scale of things, though, it's not that important which side it's on, it's just something else for people to disagree about.

[jn1780]

The more I think about it the more ridiculous it is that the grand entrance faces that direction. It'll be years before there's significant development to the south of the arena. Most people are still going to enter on the north side of the arena. Just doesn't make sense unless development was already planned and started... Please tell me why I'm wrong because I hope someone thought through this better than I did?!?

1. It will look better from the new boulevard to people driving by rather than staring at the back of the arena.

2. It has other functions besides being an entrance. There are also offices, family fun zone, and expand locker rooms.

3. There isn't enough room on the property to build it anywhere else.

4. The new park is going to be across the street.

5. Chicken or the egg? A new entrance certainly isn't going to impede business development. Its more likely to help make the area more favorable to businesses. It gives people the option of quickly going south in the future if they want to. Plus, number 1 comes to play in that people would prefer not staring at the back of the arena.

[kevinpate]

.. Anyone care to elaborate for Kilgore and I?

Because it's not really for you or I. It's for the children, and their children. Why, when your children's children are here, they can drive you by and tell them this is where the NBA got its start in OKC, though you remember having to use the back door. And never they mind it'll be a place for third hand craft shows ... just make them understand it was really something back in 2012.

[metro]

And to add, the new I40 opens next year folks, and the old will be torn down soon after. Don't the too short term sighted.

[MDot]

Now my life feels complete. Pat yourselves on the back please.

[OklahomaNick]

Does anyone know if the Restaurant inside is done/going to be done soon?
I know they completely ripped out the Old #7.
We always went there at halftime the home games; If they have games..

[metro]

I believe it's going to be an Iron Starr BBQ unless that's changed

[OklahomaNick]

Found this on the Chesapeake Arena's Facebook page. The image caption says:
"Location of the new Center Court Grill and Old No. 7 Club."



Link: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...type=1&theater

[Thundercitizen]

Taken 9 Dec 2011:

Imagine there's no bridge...soon a reality

[Bellaboo]

I get a tour of the arena on the 18th. I'll take notes.

[metro]

I get a tour of the arena on the 18th. I'll take notes.

Better yet take interior pictures

[Thundercitizen]

See a few nice interior shots here:
http://www.okcthunderfans.com/vforum...9139#post99139

[Bellaboo]

Better yet take interior pictures

I'll see what I can do, but those from Thundercitizen are pretty good.

[dmoor82]

Anyone hear the TNT announcers poking fun at the new arena name?I like it,doesnt sound bad to me imo!

[MDot]

Anyone hear the TNT announcers poking fun at the new arena name?I like it,doesnt sound bad to me imo!

I heard it. It was pretty cool.

[Watson410]

Most ever name sounds strange at first until people get use to it... The NBA team that relocated to OKC is a perfect example. Very few were happy with the name at first, now it only seems right...

[ljbab728]

Anyone hear the TNT announcers poking fun at the new arena name?I like it,doesnt sound bad to me imo!

Obviously names like Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Quicken Loans Arena, Power Balance Pavillion, Time Warner Cable Arena, and Amway Center are much more cool. LOL

[Just the facts]

Anyone hear the TNT announcers poking fun at the new arena name?I like it,doesnt sound bad to me imo!

They said they liked the new name. I think the quotes were "It roles off the toung nicely" and "it is better than Ford Center".

[Bunty]

Don't some people find the video screen on the arena too bright at night? A friend and I drove by it Chirstmas night and thought so.

[Watson410]

You should drive by American Airlines Center in Dallas on a game night... That's blinding!!!

[ljbab728]

Don't some people find the video screen on the arena too bright at night? A friend and I drove by it Chirstmas night and thought so.

Do you think they say that about the screens in Times Square too? I don't think it's a problem.