New Arena (formerly Prairie Surf)

[floyd the barber]

I know it has been repeated that OKC can't afford two arenas; however if we could juggle the services of Paycom Center and the new downtown Paycom Thunderdome arena--just imagine the concerts and large gatherings you could book in our city.

Wouldn't be so quick to discount Oklahoma City's chances of hosting any future SEC men and women's basketball tournaments. Don't see any evidence that OKC will be quick to demolish the current Paycom Center once the Paycom Thunderdome opens.

As beautiful as Austin is the SEC will want to have one of the schools (OU/UT) cities host an SEC event, OKC (IMO) would be better suited to host the SEC Tournaments once the new arena is built; hopefully, we'll have one more hotel added to OKC's portfolio by then.

Keeping the Paycom would be pretty funny.

We could be the next Houston. Why not? Our city limits is second in the nation. The Paycom and the new arena could be our NRG Stadium and the Astrodome.

It will give the announcers something to talk about during the flyover in the NBA Finals.

[April in the Plaza]

I know it has been repeated that OKC can't afford two arenas; however if we could juggle the services of Paycom Center and the new downtown Paycom Thunderdome arena--just imagine the concerts and large gatherings you could book in our city.

Wouldn't be so quick to discount Oklahoma City's chances of hosting any future SEC men and women's basketball tournaments. Don't see any evidence that OKC will be quick to demolish the current Paycom Center once the Paycom Thunderdome opens.

As beautiful as Austin is the SEC will want to have one of the schools (OU/UT) cities host an SEC event, OKC (IMO) would be better suited to host the SEC Tournaments once the new arena is built; hopefully, we'll have one more hotel added to OKC's portfolio by then.

It will be gone within a couple months after the new one opens. The Math for two doesn’t make any sense, not to mention it would be a terrible use of the land. City will end up giving Dobson and/or Cameron a deal on the land, and they’ll get to work on Oak 2.0, but with a heavier residential component.

[jn1780]

The Thunder isn't the only reason for the new arena. Bigger loading docks and amenities are important for the big acts. They are not going to want to book at the older arena. The smaller acts wouldn't mind, but that revenue doesn't justify the expense of keeping two arenas.

By far the biggest reason the current arena will be demolished is that the city will want all the attention on their 1+ billion dollar investment. Just like with the convention center, they made sure to take the old convention center out of the equation with the Prairie Surf studio deal.

[bison34]

The Thunder isn't the only reason for the new arena. Bigger loading docks and amenities are important for the big acts. They are not going to want to book at the older arena. The smaller acts wouldn't mind, but that revenue doesn't justify the expense of keeping two arenas.

By far the biggest reason the current arena will be demolished is that the city will want all the attention on their 1+ billion dollar investment. Just like with the convention center, they made sure to take the old convention center out of the equation with the Prairie Surf studio deal.

The problem is, Scissortail was supposed to inspire large amounts of PRIVATE development, and it has not. Not even close. Why are we to believe this arena development will be different?

[Laramie]

The problem is, Scissortail was supposed to inspire large amounts of PRIVATE development, and it has not. Not even close. Why are we to believe this arena development will be different?

. . . Add the Street Car to that piece that was suppose to inspire private development along the route. If it were free, there would be no doubts that more people would use it and you might see development along those routes.

I recognize the expense of operating two arenas; however, the Paycom Center will seat 15,152 for ice hockey and 18,203 for basketball. OKC Blue could continue to use Paycom Center.

The flexibility of two arenas will open the door that no events will be turned down because of scheduling; also OKC could host the SEC and/or Big 12 conference (Men/Women) tournaments with two arenas--think of the economic impact that would bring. Our new convention center could use Paycom Center to attract higher tier conventions for our city. You going to have more conflict with the Thunder if you attempt to host a convention that might tie up the new arena for a 4 or 5 day period during NBA season.

Have no doubt that a 'AA' team with rivals Tulsa and Wichita would draw 5,000 or more on a nightly basis in the current Paycom Center. The State Fair Coliseum (under construction) doesn't have any plans for an ice plant. The PBR (too big a draw for 4,800 seat coliseum) could use the Paycom Center instead of hauling dirt into the new arena.

You would also have the option of hosting the OSSAA basketball tournaments on all levels at Paycom Center--you could offer free parking in city garages for tournament attendees. And let's get that FFA 10,000 attendee convention back in OKC where it would be more centrally located for the members. Think of the new hotels or hotel expansion these events would bring to OKC.

The Paycom Center will remain idle for at least one or more years before demolition. With all the land options we have downtown; just don't see a case where some private or public entity will need the arena demolished immediately to acquire that land. It's not like a mixed use tower will be built there.

[bison34]

. . . Add the Street Car to that piece that was suppose to inspire private development along the route. If it were free, there would be no doubts that more people would use it and you might see development along those routes.

I recognize the expense of operating two arenas; however, the Paycom Center will seat 15,152 for ice hockey and 18,203 for basketball. OKC Blue could continue to use Paycom Center.

Have no doubt that a 'AA' team with rivals Tulsa and Wichita would draw 5,000 or more on a nightly basis in the current Paycom Center. The State Fair Coliseum (under construction) doesn't have any plans for an ice plant. The PBR (too big a draw for 4,800 seat coliseum) could use the Paycom Center instead of hauling dirt into the new arena.

The flexibility of two arenas will open the door that no events will be turned down because of scheduling; also OKC could host the SEC and/or Big 12 conference (Men/Women) tournaments with two arenas--think of the economic impact that would bring. Our new convention center could use Paycom Center to attract higher tier conventions for our city.

You would also have the option of hosting the OSSAA basketball tournaments on all levels at Paycom Center--you could offer free parking in city garages for tournament attendees. And let's get that FFA 10,000 attendee convention back in OKC where it would be more centrally located for the members.

The Paycom Center will remain idle for at least one or more years before demolition. With all the land options we have downtown; just don't see a case where some private or public entity will need the arena demolished immediately to acquire that land. It's not like a mixed use tower will be built there.

I just think there isn't enough development money in OKC. It's all going to the vacuum 3 hours south. OKC developers are complete poors compared to down in Dallas. A new arena won't help this, so that's my trepidation for development around the arena.

[Dob Hooligan]

The problem is, Scissortail was supposed to inspire large amounts of PRIVATE development, and it has not. Not even close. Why are we to believe this arena development will be different?

I think the plan has always been to crystallize and begin larger scale development after the arena was clearly defined and under construction. I have always thought that the REHCO and Paycom sites are going to be built on in a complimentary fashion, even if it isn't part of a full partnership. So because I'm guessing Paycom won't be removed until about 2032, I think the "real" development plan isn't going to firm up until 2028 or 29.

[G.Walker]

I just think there isn't enough development money in OKC. It's all going to the vacuum 3 hours south. OKC developers are complete poors compared to down in Dallas. A new arena won't help this, so that's my trepidation for development around the arena.

I am optimistic that there will be a high rise mixed used development attached to the new arena. A mix of Thunder offices, hotel, retail and parking garage is not too far fetched. Downtown OKC can definitely support another 5 star hotel like the Omni. Even with the Omni hotel TIF block in place, the City can get away with soliciting developers for the development, since they own the land.

[cinnamonjock]

Maybe I'm wrong, but there has been a lot of infill development along the streetcar line. As for the park, it seems there are basically two property owners that either prefer using their land as a parking lot, or are so dysfunctional that it may take decades and court battles before anything happens.

[aDark]

. . . Add the Street Car to that piece that was suppose to inspire private development along the route. If it were free, there would be no doubts that more people would use it and you might see development along those routes.

I recognize the expense of operating two arenas; however, the Paycom Center will seat 15,152 for ice hockey and 18,203 for basketball. OKC Blue could continue to use Paycom Center.

Another day, another subtle effort to push hockey into OKC by Laramie. lol.

[citywokchinesefood]

Another day, another subtle effort to push hockey into OKC by Laramie. lol.

To be fair, hockey is really cool.