Taft Stadium

[ljbab728]

Speegle looks almost finished:

I'm confused about that picture. The historic part of Speegle was on the north side of the stadium and that looks like it's gone. That picture is looking north towards downtown.

Speegle Stadium Scope of Project
Renovate Speegle Stadium’s current facilities to provide a functional
and safe venue to use and enjoy. Speegle Stadium is located at 510
SW Grand Blvd., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Speegle Stadium is to be renovated based on criteria from the Base
Project Management Plan (PMP), current design standards, and the
educational specifications. These criteria have been narrowed to
necessary items based on budget constraints.
The new facilities that will be built consist of an artificial turf field, 8-lane
track, locker rooms, pressbox, metal grand stands, renovated visitor
stands, concession buildings, public restrooms, fenced storage, and
preservation of the WPA wall on the East and North sides of Speegle
Stadium. All new construction will meet ADA guidelines and be up to
current building codes.

Maybe it's just that the historic wall on the north side is relatively short compared to the historic part of Taft Stadium so it doesn't stand out.

[John]

I'm confused about that picture. The historic part of Speegle was on the north side of the stadium and that looks like it's gone. Maybe it's just that the historic wall on the north side is relatively short compared to the historic part of Taft Stadium so it doesn't stand out.

It's just the perimeter sandstone wall.

[SouthSide]

I thought the original proposal was 7.9 million for Taft and 7.5 million for Speegle. If Taft is costing 11 million what was the increase for Speegle?

[SouthSide]

Anyone know when Grant is scheduled to get a Stadium? Couldn't find anything at OKCPS.

[ljbab728]

Anyone know when Grant is scheduled to get a Stadium? Couldn't find anything at OKCPS.

That's because it isn't happening.

[bombermwc]

I don't think they ever upped Speegle's cost. Part of the changes at Taft were due to the Energy, part of them were due to the significant capital needed for the historic items.

And I don't think there are any plans for Grant but for some reason, I thought they played at Speegle too...? Or shared one somewhere....

[John Knight]

We (The Grid officers) are currently working with Prodigal on the development of the "Fan Zone". This section will be the bleachers located on the south side of the field. I cannot disclose any specifics at this time, but I will say that big plans are in the works. Prodigal is 100% on board with The Grid and increasing our membership. There will be perks to being a member of The Grid for sure. I will keep everyone posted as things develop.

[SouthSide]

Speegle is the only southside stadium so it has been used by all three southside high schools. I would have thought the cost of saving historic items would have been part of the original bid for Taft.

[bombermwc]

Well the Taft dollars were always a few million more than Speegle, so I guess I'm not clear on why there is a question of the final amount. Once you add in the amount Energy put in, it adds up.

[SouthSide]

The 2012 bid on the OKC.Gov site shows only a difference of a half million dollars between the two stadiums. I thought the Energy only put in a million dollars.

[bombermwc]

You should look at the okcps bond proposal rather than the city. The bond is the main estimate that the voters voted on, not something the city did....remember it's a OCPS property. I don't believe the city has much to do with it, although they may be putting information out since the Energy is now going to play there. The bond proposal had, I think, a 3 million difference between the two.

[SouthSide]

The OKC gov website has links to the OCMAPS. The OCMAPS Office is responsible for operations and management of I-89 school construction and the suburban school funding programs.

[Prunepicker]

... although i would hate to see a place like Taft Stadium go, maybe we need someplace away
from the neighborhoods for high school football, race cars and concerts since those close to
the zoo(concerts) and the fairgrounds(race cars) have noise issues also.

The Stock Car races at Taft were a regular Friday night treat as a kid. Dad would get a big bag
of peanuts and we'd watch the races. Great memories.

[ljbab728]

I hadn't really thought about where games for the south OKC high schools are being played this year but I noticed on the late sports that the game tonight between US Grant and Capitol Hill was played at Stanford White Stadium at Douglas.

[bombermwc]

Well that's similar to what happened when Douglas was being rebuilt. You just have to shuffle things around while construction goes on. But good news is, both will be ready for next season.

[warreng88]

From the Journal Record:

Taft Stadium nearly ready for Energy

By: Brian Brus The Journal Record January 6, 2015

OKLAHOMA CITY – Upgrades at Taft and Speegle sports stadiums in Oklahoma City are substantially complete and ready for what’s known in the industry as a punch list to check for remaining details, according to Gary Armbruster with MA+ Architects.

That’s good news for the Oklahoma Energy FC professional soccer team, which plans to move into Taft this year. Bob Funk Jr., owner of Prodigal Sports LLC, the Energy’s parent company, has said he’s eager to build on the team’s inaugural 9-14-5 season at the Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School’s stadium. Prodigal reported that several sold-out games pushed the stadium’s 3,500 capacity to its limit.

Taft now has about 7,000 seats with room for expansion, a new press box, bathroom facilities, locker rooms and all the modern amenities that sports fans have come to expect, Armbruster reported to City Council members Tuesday.

Taft and Speegle are city-owned stadiums that have been used primarily for high school athletics. They are being renovated with financial contributions by the municipal government, an Oklahoma City Public Schools district bond issue and Funk’s Energy FC. Speegle Stadium at Capitol Hill High School on S. Shartel Avenue is set to reopen this month and Taft Stadium will follow in March.

Armbruster said his company was proud to have been able to preserve much of the original rock wall facing May Avenue that gave Taft its personality as a Works Progress Administration project during the Great Depression. Historical elements of both stadiums were preserved whenever possible, he said, with architects often consulting archival photos for reference.

Prodigal President Jeff Ewing said that although his company is still looking at potential sponsorship packages that could include valuable naming rights, for now the stadium will remain known simply as Taft.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to show what our team is capable of,” Ewing said. “This bigger facility will allow us to entertain and attract more fans.

“It’s also great to be something that gives back to Oklahoma City public schools,” he said. “Those kids will be able to play on a state-of-the-art field. To be a small part of something like that is awesome.”

[OKCisOK4me]

Parking available at NW Classen, I assume?

[bombermwc]

It's a bit confusing when you look at the plans and especially because the pressbox will be on the visitor's side, but they're supposed to be some parking changes at the stadium too. There definitely won't ever be enough to park 7k+ people though, so yes I think most of the overflow will be at NW Classen.

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City Public Schools (high schools) used the stadiums at Douglass (Moses F. Miller Stadium/Stanford White Field) and Star Spencer High Schools. I recall an occasion where some of the OCPS schools since the construction of Taft & Speegle Stadiums, may have used the football stadiums at Millwood, Bishop McGuiness & Mt. St. Mary's High Schools for an occasional home game.

It will be a blessing to have Taft & Speegle Stadiums in operation come 2015. Traditionally, Taft was used by Classen, Northeast, Northwest Classen & John Marshall; Speegle was used by Capitol Hill, Southeast & U.S. Grant High Schools. Now the district has Centennial mid-high school (formerly Eisenhower Middle School) in the mix.

The Oklahoma City Energy FC will be the 3rd professional soccer franchise (City Slickers, Stampede) to call Taft Stadium their temporary home; they plan to add the chair backs to the East stadium (press box) side. Let's see how far the Energy FC progresses with their stadium plans.

It will be of interest to know that once these construction projects are finished, OKC will still have schedule matrix concerns.

Does anyone know if the 3,600-seat venue (football stadium) built on the campus of Northeast High School in the 60s is still operable?

[cxl144]

Looking at google satellite imagery and streetview I don't think so. It appears to have trees growing out of the stands. Will drive by later this week to confirm.

[OKCisOK4me]

Where is Speegle Stadium? I looked at Google Maps and it would not come up.

[therondo]

Where is Speegle Stadium? I looked at Google Maps and it would not come up.

It's at SW Grand Blvd. and Shartel, nest to Capitol Hill HS.

[OKCisOK4me]

Ahhhh, thank you!

[BrettM2]

Does anyone know if the 3,600-seat venue (football stadium) built on the campus of Northeast High School in the 60s is still operable?

Is it the one just north of NE 30th? If so, it doesn't look like it can hold 3,600 as it is only one section of bleachers (I could be way underestimating the size though). It's definitely abandoned though.



Edit: I can't remember how to make the image larger in the screen if someone can remind me.

[jccouger]

Oklahoma City Public Schools (high schools) used the stadiums at Douglass (Moses F. Miller Stadium/Stanford White Field) and Star Spencer High Schools. I recall an occasion where some of the OCPS schools since the construction of Taft & Speegle Stadiums, may have used the football stadiums at Millwood, Bishop McGuiness & Mt. St. Mary's High Schools for an occasional home game.

It will be a blessing to have Taft & Speegle Stadiums in operation come 2015. Traditionally, Taft was used by Classen, Northeast, Northwest Classen & John Marshall; Speegle was used by Capitol Hill, Southeast & U.S. Grant High Schools. Now the district has Centennial mid-high school (formerly Eisenhower Middle School) in the mix.

The Oklahoma City Energy FC will be the 3rd professional soccer franchise (City Slickers, Stampede) to call Taft Stadium their temporary home; they plan to add the chair backs to the East stadium (press box) side. Let's see how far the Energy FC progresses with their stadium plans.

It will be of interest to know that once these construction projects are finished, OKC will still have schedule matrix concerns.

Does anyone know if the 3,600-seat venue (football stadium) built on the campus of Northeast High School in the 60s is still operable?

It wasn't when I went to school there almost a decade ago, I'm sure its even worse for ware at this point. I think the biggest issue was electric.