The Maps 3 rundown...

[traxx]

Hmmm. Maybe you're right, Theo. 81 games is a lot. I just don't want this soccer stadium in such prime real estate. That would take up a lot of area that I feel should be used for business and retail. Plus, I'm still hoping for a boardwalk on the river.

I would love to have MLB in OKC though. I just think we need a higher population before that'll work really well. But I can see it happening before the NFL.

[Theo Walcott]

Well, this is why I suggest having the stadium south of the river, the fields south of the river but connected via bridge to the northern, technical "Core to Shore" developments.

[jbrown84]

2. No youth fields...that land can be used for a much higher purpose.

Exactly.

I think a very multi-purpose stadium would work south of the river as part of an extended park, but no youth fields.

[Kerry]

I hated soccer until my kids started playing in a youth league. Now that I know the rules and strategy I enjoy it a lot. I do find it funny that a lot of people in OKC like hockey but for some reason think soccer is a sure loser. Go figure.

[Theo Walcott]

It really is this simple:

In this diagram where "ampitheater" is shown, replace that with a 20-25,000 seat primarily soccer, but multipurpose stadium. Our city would be the cream of the crop with this kind of addition. A Millenium Park-type arrangement with a beautiful outdoor stadium on the River with Bricktown to boot. Who would've thought!

http://okc.gov/planning/coretoshore/...eb_concept.jpg

That was much too large, but open it up and you get the general idea.

[Theo Walcott]

Here you have an idea of some similar stadiums that might be comparable to something that would work for the city.

Note that it is very important that the seating be covered by a partial roof to keep things cooler in the summer time.

Here is one currently being built by the MK Dons, a lower league squad in England. The stadium seats 30,000 and was built for around $100 million, which would obviously be at the upper scale of things we'd be considering.

[Theo Walcott]

Here is another design, which is probably a more realistic idea as to what the city could go for. This is JJB Stadium where Wigan Athletic plays in the Premier League. This one seats 25,000, and at its time of construction cost 30m pounds. This one looks very nice, is enclosed, and the brick would compliment the Ford Center well.

[Theo Walcott]

Finally, here's another intriguing proposal. What about constructing similar to something like is being done in Bristol, England. This stadium is being built for around 30m pounds, but has the benefits of also including 120 hotel rooms AND 500 condominium spaces. The idea of combining a multi-purpose stadium with a hotel, and selling condominium spaces would be very revolutionary, and when put in the middle of the Millenium Park-type development, would be an attractive living space. Here are some pics of the Bristol project:

[jbrown84]

I would prefer the stadium be three-sided with the north end open to the river with a downtown view. That would be great for outdoor concerts and the amount of seating more practical for our market.