Where would you place a new resort near OKC?

[Rover]

Another thread starts the discussion of having a resort near OKC with ample room and amenities for large meetings. But where do you put it?

I have always thought that the golf course at Twin Hills could be developed into a full resort with the addition of a large resort hotel built where the club house is or at surrounding properties. The current building isn't much but the course is very good layout and the hills are beautiful. It is close to many attractions (Race track, zoo, theaters, science museum, Western Heritage Museum, Firefighters Museum, Softball HoF and fields) and could be used by businesses and families. It is close to all Interstates and easy to get to. There is a private airport near for private planes and small charters. It is in a pretty part of town with hills and trees. There is plenty of developable land in the immediate area. And, I bet the course could be bought at a great price. If I were the members, I would approach Marriott or Hyatt about such a proposal.

[hipsterdoofus]

Little Axe

[Rover]

What is in or near Little Axe? Why would it be a good location? Is it a good location to take advantage of everything happening in OKC? Seems a little remote.

[aintaokie]

Also consider locating the resort near all the "better" resturants & eating establishments.

[dmoor82]

I am sorry but my idea is HATED on here!and that would be a casino district on The Oklahoma River and have riverboat casinos!just an idea!

[Naptown12713]

Somewhere on the Eastside of Oklahoma County. This area is in dire need to an economic infusion that could ultimately transform this rural area.

[hipsterdoofus]

What is in or near Little Axe? Why would it be a good location? Is it a good location to take advantage of everything happening in OKC? Seems a little remote.

Sorry...I didn't realize I was posting on the board where no one has a sense of humor...

[king183]

Lake Thunderbird in Norman. If someone was to invest in cleaning it up and developing it (and even expanding it), it could be a great attraction.

[Larry OKC]

I am sorry but my idea is HATED on here!and that would be a casino district on The Oklahoma River and have riverboat casinos!just an idea!

I don't think it is hated but it isn't that easy to do. Except for the Rasinos thought were ok'd in the state wide vote, casinos can only be built on Indian land and that isn't that simple either (they can't just own it, it has to be put into federal trust and can take 10 years or more to happen). In addition, the tribe has to have some historical claim to the land in question. Currently there is a tribe that wanted to build a casino in Bricktown (Mayor Cornett was against it). They backed off that idea and bought land up near Frontier City for a casino resort. It was opposed by the City and our Congressional delegation and the horse racing industry (perceived as a threat to Remington Park). One of the reasons given against putting in Federal trust is the tribes headquarters is in the NE part of the state and they don't have a historical claim. Looking at the old Indian Territory maps, don't think any current tribe would qualify based on that anywhere in the OKC city limits.

[Spartan]

Twin Hills would be a lot closer already to being a full resort if it weren't for Mayor Mick opposing an Indian casino that otherwise would have happened if they could get the land, which they probably would have if they Mayor hadn't opposed.

There will never be anything close to a resort in OKC as long as we keep opposing new casinos in the interest of protecting Remington Park.

[BG918]

The only casino that you could really call a resort in Oklahoma is the Hard Rock by Tulsa, and even then it's a casino first and foremost with a hotel, a few restaurants and bars, a music venue (soon), and a golf course. The casinos, IMO, could really be true resorts if they were built on one of the area lakes with a beach, pools, marina, boat rentals, etc. I don't know of a single casino/hotel in Oklahoma that is like that. Something on Texoma or Eufaula would be fairly close to OKC. I'm really surprised Grand doesn't have something like that, most of it is within the wealthy Cherokee Nation (owners of the Hard Rock).

Map showing Tribal Lands in Oklahoma

[barnold]

Reno and Scott st. in Del City. The old Logan point apartments have already been purchased by a tribe. It's not in Okc, and it's close to Bricktown and the other new indian facility on the south side of the river. Something to think about.......

[OKCRT]

The downtown riverfront would get my vote. A nice high rise hotel,4 star restaurant,spa and a 1st class casino.

That would attract more tourists to the downtown area and create millions in added tax revenue on a yearly basis. Of course the street car would need to have a stop there.

OKC needs to think forward and ease up on the small town mentality that some still try to promote.

[Soonerus]

Quapaw Casino is a real resort ...

[SkyWestOKC]

I agree with OKCRT. As long as it doesn't become Las Vegas I'm cool with it. One maybe two at most along the river. But, the Indian Land issue would create a problem.

A solution would be to approve a waiver for a firm amount of land along the river. No more than the set amount, enough land for 1 or 2 casino/resort hotels. Once that land is filled, no more can be added. But just waive the land for use, don't go and find bids, it wouldn't be more than 4 months before a casino bought the land and dirt would be turned over and a hotel coming out of the ground.

[Bigrayok]

Quapaw Casino is about a four hour drive from Oklahoma City. Winstar is becoming somewhat of a resort and is closer than Quapaw. I think it is interesting the Gaylord's have nice resorts in Colorado Springs, Nashville, Orlando, and Grapevine, Texas but none here in Oklahoma. I used to like Fountainhead at Lake Eufala when I was younger. I thought a tribe was going to build a new casino and resort there.

I personally do not want Oklahoma to have too many casinos. The Indian casino industry has been kink of sneaky and sleazy, yet cunning in the way they were able take gambling in Oklahoma from charitable bingo to pull tabs, bingo machines (Really slots to the player), slot machines, black jack and yes, a little bird tells me electronic craps and roulette in some places. When the racino vote took place a few years ago, the adverisers pushing for slots at Remmington Park did not put much emphasis on the fact the vote was really about legalizing black jack in Indian casinos as much as it was about allowing Remmington to have slots. I wish people in Oklahoma would get real about casino gambling and allow non-indian entities to compete with the current Indian monoploy.

Bigray in Ok

[OKCRT]

The city is missing the boat. Many people drive to Norman or Shawnee to spend their money. Why doesn't OKC want then to spend that money here?

Do they think that a 1st class casino resort will ruin the cities image or something? LOL

If you ask me,the city leaders have dropped the ball on this issue.

[gen70]

I think a resort/casino/hotel should be built by the river near the stockyards district away from bricktown. I think it would help develope the stockyards area into a real draw, which would also help the resort/casino/hotel attract people.

[Easy180]

Maybe a sam's town type of casino...needs to have a theme to be a big draw

[BG918]

How can you build an Indian casino when the riverfront is not Indian land? Only maybe the far eastern sections of OKC are on Indian land (Shawnee or Kickapoo Nation). That is a significant deterrent to OKC having tribal casinos/hotels.

[Rover]

Resorts are built all over which are not casinos. Why is everyone assuming there has to be a casino? Golf, tennis, convention areas, swimming, close to attractions, good restauants. Casinos are not required or even a good idea if you are trying to attract business meetings, family reunions, vacationers, etc.

[SkyWestOKC]

People on here complain about not having things to do in OKC. What can we do to attract people here, what can we do, blah blah blah? Not everyone's idea of fun is viewing art galleries, touring museums, etc. I think a waiver to the law to allow 1 or 2 casinos to be built on the river is acceptable. It will give more people a reason to stay downtown: gamble one day, see a thunder game the next day, visit bricktown the next, etc.

Although I have no desire to ever visit one, give my money to one, or otherwise; nor do I really favor gambling. I think it wouldn't hurt the cities image to allow 1 or 2 at most to develop on the river. It would probably help spur development along the river, truth be known. People from all over the state and country like to visit casinos, why not let them toss their money away inside OKC? Why should Norman get the benefit?

[Larry OKC]

You would have to change State Law and not the easiest thing to do to get the "waiver" as I mentioned it is pretty much a moot point given the Federal and State regulations. Not impossible to change but not easy either.

[SkyWestOKC]

I see. I am just tossing the idea around. I think it is a lame law though. Despite my general disapproval for gambling.

[Larry OKC]

I understand and while I dont think it is a horrible idea (why let the money escape as others have mentioned). The Mayor is pretty much dead set against it and he is in for another 4 years. Maybe an image thing for him but I never did understand how they reconcile "family friendly" with all of the bars and clubs in Bricktown anyway. Don't see much difference.