Paycom Center (formerly Chesapeake Arena)

[iMAX386]

So would you prefer nice gray concrete? I think it looks great providing color and interest and is a vast improvement on the previous flooring.

No, but the color and design could have been designed in a way that'd be a lot more pleasing to the eye. I do some design work on the side so these details really stick out to me...and those colors just scream early 90's and the random shapes are what you'd find in Celebration Station's. The teams colors are awful if not used with the right restraint.

[ljbab728]

No, but the color and design could have been designed in a way that'd be a lot more pleasing to the eye. I do some design work on the side so these details really stick out to me...and those colors just scream early 90's and the random shapes are what you'd find in Celebration Station's. The teams colors are awful if not used with the right restraint.

I think I would reserve judgement until it's all completed. You're not seeing the final picture here and nothing screams 90's or Celebration Station to me. No design will ever please everyone.

[Rover]

I think the colors bring life to the arena. My biggest complaint was the monochromatic dullness of the arena....rust and more rust...grey and more grey. This is much more exciting. We finally have some design in the building.

[MDot]

I think the colors bring life to the arena. My biggest complaint was the monochromatic dullness of the arena....rust and more rust...grey and more grey. This is much more exciting. We finally have some design in the building.

That's the way I feel about it, otherwise I might of had a problem with it but since it was dirt ugly to begin with now it looks a whole lot better IMO.

[metro]

I have to agree the interior is very early 90s looking

[MDot]

I have to agree the interior is very early 90s looking

It does look more 90's but that's better than what they had to begin with.

[bombermwc]

Surprise - it was designed in the early 90's...shock!

[Rover]

The floor designs and finishes they are putting in were not designed in the 90's. And frankly, I can't find any examples of similar patterns or color pallettes that were done in the 90s anyway. The colors look to be Thunder colors and not indicative of any unique era of style. The colors and patters give visual excitement and interest which is hard to do on a arena hallway.

[Larry OKC]

What Rover said...LOL

I have slammed the Thunder name/logo/colors in the past (and still feel that way) but honestly I didn't make the connection when i saw those pics. As someone else said, hard to judge it in mid construction like that but I don't really find anything objectionable to it.

[jbrown84]

I hope they got rid of all that awful candy cane signage...

[UnFrSaKn]

The huge digital sign is now live...

http://www.thunder.nba.com/

[SkyWestOKC]

Nice!

[MDot]

Sweet!

[iMAX386]

Drove by it tonight, the Chesapeake sign on the north side next to the TV screen look really good. Lot better than the Ford Center signage.

[Doug Loudenback]

Went by yesterday morning on the north side ... looked good ... both the Chesapeake signage and the digital element.

[Thundercitizen]

I'm sorry, the exterior signage just screams early 90's to me.








kidding

[betts]

Chesapeake Arena does not roll off the tongue very well, however, even if you leave off "Energy". We need a nickname for it like "The Peake" or something.

[OKCisOK4me]

It does have a nickname! THUNDERDOME!

[Urbanized]

I know it would never fly, but it would be fun to welcome opponents to "the Gas Chamber."

[Rover]

I was by the arena earlier today. Even in the bright daylight at 2 o'clock the electronic display was bright and crisp. Looks great.

I also noticed what looked like brackets around the crown of the building. By any chance is there an electronic ribbon board going around it?

[king183]

I hope so, Rover. Lighting around the perimeter of the building is needed to really "liven" it up. The Chesapeake sign helps a lot, but I think more lighting, especially on the roof and roof perimeter would be great.

Also, I remember someone several posts back say that the grand entrance is supposed to be next season. I don't think that's true. I think it's supposed to be done by the beginning of this season. I don't know if they'll make it on time, but they're actually moving pretty darn quickly on it.

[dankrutka]

The grand entrance should be completed towards the end of this season (depending on how far we make it in there is a season). They've said somewhere around March-May as a completion time if I remember correctly...

[dankrutka]

Chesapeake Arena does not roll off the tongue very well, however, even if you leave off "Energy". We need a nickname for it like "The Peake" or something.

http://www.dailythunder.com/2011/08/...-energy-arena/

[betts]

http://www.dailythunder.com/2011/08/...-energy-arena/

I guess Royce and I think alike.

[dankrutka]

I guess Royce and I think alike.

Actually, that article was written by Patrick James, by I'm sure Royce agrees...