Soccer Stadium

[boitoirich]

Putting two competing teams in the same market is not going to work for OKC. Both ownership groups have an ultimate goal of bringing MLS to the city, and that's going to take demonstrated fan support surrounding a team for several years. I'd hate to see NASL supporters refusing to support the USL Pro club and vice versa. This is a fight that really needs one winner to emerge.

I agree with whoever said somewhere on this site that I'd prefer the Tier 2 team (NASL, Lund) over the Tier 3 (Funk+ADG, USL Pro). But if Lund doesn't get a soccer-specific stadium together soon, and/or if he loses the legal battle against USL Pro, then the proposed 7,000+ seat stadium south of Core to Shore would be a great start for OKC's eventual MLS push.

[Cocaine]

I'd kinda like for it to be at the Fair Grounds it's got plenty of space for it and will have more than enough space for any future expansions. I also like the possibility of being able to go to a monster truck rally at this stadium at some point. If not on the Fair Grounds somewhere on the South Side at least.

[Snowman]

I'd kinda like for it to be at the Fair Grounds it's got plenty of space for it and will have more than enough space for any future expansions. I also like the possibility of being able to go to a monster truck rally at this stadium at some point. If not on the Fair Grounds somewhere on the South Side at least.

The main problem with building anything at the Fair Grounds is it is pretty close to the Stockyards, given the normal wind patterns you have a nearly 50% chance of it smelling terrible.

[bchris02]

The main problem with building anything at the Fair Grounds is it is pretty close to the Stockyards, given the normal wind patterns you have a nearly 50% chance of it smelling terrible.

Yeah the fairgrounds also aren't quite the environment I would like to see this in. Like I said, I would love to see this become the focal point of OKC's next entertainment district much like the Redhawks did for Bricktown.

[bluedogok]

FC Dallas has also had some attendance problems, and I know the fields have been underutilized, but that was a few years ago.

Just curious as to how they will be funding this?

The minor league suburban stadiums tend to have trouble attracting fans from all over the city, we rarely attended baseball and never attended hockey games in the Austin area with Dell Ballpark in far north Round Rock and the Cedar Park Center in the far northwest Austin area and we lived in South Austin, many others felt the same way. Having to drive through downtown to get anywhere made it a very long drive. Stadiums like this need to be somewhat centrally located. Frisco is another example of this. Dick's Sporting Goods Park is in Commerce City a little nroth of I-70 near the old Stapleton Airport, not real far from downtown but not adjacent to it. DSG Park was around 113 million but it was built as a MLS stadium since the Rapids were playing at Mile High. Commerce City built it and Kronke Sports operates it.

As far as funding, a 7,000 seat stadium can be as simple or as complex as they want it to be. I think they need to work out a deal with Humphries about locating it on the Downtown Airpark property, Wiley Post or Wheeler Park would be a good location for city involvement aspect. The Austin Aztex played at an AISD stadium just west of downtown in House Park. They got good crowds for the level that it was, they have another team now but I am not sure what level they are or where they play.

The main problem with building anything at the Fair Grounds is it is pretty close to the Stockyards, given the normal wind patterns you have a nearly 50% chance of it smelling terrible.

A soccer stadium doesn't fit in with the 100% horse show focus the fair board has now.

[Just the facts]

Take the JTF Challenge - find a location that doesn't require the construction of any parking.

[OKCisOK4me]

Why can't the land just to the south of the Oklahoma River on the east side of Western Avenue not be used? I like that or the previously mentioned site between Exchange, Western & I-40. No matter where this is built, traffic patterns will be a major issue.

[Just the facts]

Why can't the land just to the south of the Oklahoma River on the east side of Western Avenue not be used? I like that or the previously mentioned site between Exchange, Western & I-40. No matter where this is built, traffic patterns will be a major issue.

Only if you build it in a place that requires everyone to drive to it.

What about the East Bricktown Lot? It is the perfect size. There is also the west Bricktown lot between the railroad and Oklahoma Ave.

[hoya]

Traffic isn't really going to be any worse than a big high school football game, at least at first. We had about 10,000 people show up every year for the Midwest City/Del City game back when I was a kid. I'm sure the Battle of the Moores has the same type of attendance. I really do think this is something where you can skip parking accommodations, certainly in the beginning. People will park on the street and walk a few blocks. Hell, 85,000 people cram into Owen Field every Saturday and OU doesn't provide nearly enough spaces. As it expands, if you run a streetcar stop down to the area you erase the need for many massive parking lots. It will also make it more likely that after the game, people will walk to a local eatery or store to buy something. This provides a lot of economic activity to the area and helps clean it up. A giant ass parking garage makes it too easy for people to just drive away.

[OKCisOK4me]

Only if you build it in a place that requires everyone to drive to it.

What about the East Bricktown Lot? It is the perfect size. There is also the west Bricktown lot between the railroad and Oklahoma Ave.

You can't put something like that in the west Bricktown lot. It will be in the way of the parking garage that is in the way of the future commuter rail bridge.

[Just the facts]

Thank you Hoyasooner - you said it perfectly. The soccer stadium should be a catalyst to build a neighborhood economy. Put parking around it and all people do is drive in, watch the game, and drive home. No synergy is ever achieved.

[Just the facts]

You can't put something like that in the west Bricktown lot. It will be in the way of the parking garage that is in the way of the future commuter rail bridge.

Oh sorry - not the north lot. I meant the west lot down by the Uhaul building. It is a little smaller but should easily fit a 7,000 seat stadium. Expansion to 20,000 seats might be a challenge on that site though.

[OKCisOK4me]

Oh sorry - not the north lot. I meant the west lot down by the Uhaul building.

Ahhh, yes, that would be a fine spot. Right next to potential residential in the U-Haul building. Also next to Compress/Oklahoma Avenue with good access to filter traffic away. Do you think the diesel engines of the passing BNSF freights would cause a distraction?

[Just the facts]

Ahhh, yes, that would be a fine spot. Right next to potential residential in the U-Haul building. Also next to Compress/Oklahoma Avenue with good access to filter traffic away. Do you think the diesel engines of the passing BNSF freights would cause a distraction?

I don't think the train will have any impact at all. In fact, with future regional rail you can walk to the stadium from the station.

The typical MLS soccer field is around 330' X 210' (some bigger some smaller). I don't know if that is the total grass area or just the playing dimensions, but the main portion of the U-Haul lot is 440 X 280. I think you could do it but it would be a tight fit.

[OKCisOK4me]

I don't think the train will have any impact at all. In fact, with future regional rail you can walk to the stadium from the station.

The typical MLS soccer field is around 330' X 210' (some bigger some smaller). I don't know if that is the total grass area or just the playing dimensions, but the main portion of the U-Haul lot is 440 X 280. I think you could do it but it would be a tight fit.

Not to mention that the streetcar will go right by that site no matter what route is chosen and built.

[KayneMo]

How about somewhere along Reno between I-35 and I-235, just east of Bricktown? That area could certainly use a jump-start for redevelopment.

[bchris02]

How about somewhere along Reno between I-35 and I-235, just east of Bricktown? That area could certainly use a jump-start for redevelopment.

That's another area I was thinking about. It gets ghetto fast on Reno as soon as you cross I-35. Personally I would rather see it in one of our current up-and-coming districts, to compliment that district and also provide a jump-start to get it to critical mass.

[HOT ROD]

bchris; you didn't read my post or you missed my point. I am wholly in favor of the stadium being in the core - just east of Downtown Airpark in Capital Hill/Southside to be exact. I think it would be a destination for that region as it would sit right in its prime market/audience and would give something to Capital Hill as a destination.

But what I mentioned pertained to the two competing ownership proposals, why not have the NON-AAA team go to the suburbs and OKC gets the AAA NASL team and stadium? I would prefer that then to have it all go away because the two knock each other out.

My point is not every pro team needs to be in OKC. I think we can start sending development level teams to the suburbs while keeping OKC itself at least minor league/AAA in every sport. I think there is enough interest/support for the NASL to be in the Southside (think 150,000+ Hispanic audience right there) AND the USL to the suburbs (say Edmond, which would be more 'family/local' oriented and would draw folks who do not want to come downtown/to the southside.

Anyway, I hope that clears up my thoughts.

[Snowman]

I don't think the train will have any impact at all. In fact, with future regional rail you can walk to the stadium from the station.

The typical MLS soccer field is around 330' X 210' (some bigger some smaller). I don't know if that is the total grass area or just the playing dimensions, but the main portion of the U-Haul lot is 440 X 280. I think you could do it but it would be a tight fit.

Remember though part of the plan adds lines and a stop on the east side of the existing tracks in a later phase.

[CaptDave]

I don't think the train will have any impact at all. In fact, with future regional rail you can walk to the stadium from the station.

The typical MLS soccer field is around 330' X 210' (some bigger some smaller). I don't know if that is the total grass area or just the playing dimensions, but the main portion of the U-Haul lot is 440 X 280. I think you could do it but it would be a tight fit.

That is an accurate average field size for current MLS pitches. The requirements are tighter for international matches - larger than the midpoint numbers from JTF.

From FIFA Laws of the Game:

Law 1 – the field of play
Dimensions
The length of the touch line must be greater than the length of the goal line.

Length (touch line):
* minimum 90 m (100 yds)
* maximum 120 m (130 yds)

Width (goal line):
* minimum 45 m (50 yds)
* maximum 90 m (100 yds)

All lines must be of the same width, which must be not more than 12 cm (5 ins).


So a stadium of sufficient size to accomodate a FIFA compliant field with room to expand would be a very tight fit at that location. Coop, Pull A Part, Airpark, and maybe Wheeler Park are the best bets I think.

[soonerguru]

Sign me up for the riverfront on the Capitol Hill side.

[OKCisOK4me]

Sign me up for the riverfront on the Capitol Hill side.

My post, #58, shares this sentiment.

[Rover]

It's isn't just a stadium, but practice and other facilities and fields. Sounds like a pretty large amount of area required. That may eliminate downtown unless the air park site is in play, or the fairgrounds out west. Story says 5 sites are under consideration.

[Just the facts]

Not sure why practice fields and the stadium would need to be adjacent to each other.

On edit, based on Rover's comment I just read the original article and not the small part provided in the OP. I suddenly lost interest in this project. Put this out in the burbs if this is what he has in mind.

http://newsok.com/prodigal-adg-to-bu...rticle/3862781

He described the ideal location as being near a main thoroughfare and having a lot of surrounding land for parking, possible practice facilities, small soccer venues, and/or entertainment attractions.

...

“I think, obviously, it's very important that we create a green structure, for lack of a better term, going into this and planning for that to try and make as little impact on the surrounding environment and trying to contribute back to the environment's wellness through this process,” Funk said.

I will say this though - someone need to explain to Funk what 'green' is. You can build a LEED platinum stadium but if you build it with lots of parking and everyone has to drive you destroyed the very thing you were spending all the extra money to save.

[Rover]

Yes, we know that the ONLY thing important to this town is to be downtown, next to the street with no setback and no accommodation for other than pedestrian traffic. Otherwise let's hate it and go sit in a corner and sulk.

Sometimes there are valid reasons for other than downtown locations. Does that mean we shouldn't support them? What childishness and arrogance.