Sportsman's Country Club

[Pete]

Looks like yet another piece of OKC history will soon be no more.

Makes me very sad as I grew up in that area and have lots of found memories there.


Sportsman's Club plans to sell Oklahoma City clubhouse property

The Sportsman's Club plans to sell its property at NW 39 and North Tulsa Avenue in Oklahoma City at the end of April. It includes a lake, clubhouse, tennis courts and swimming pools.

[BBatesokc]

I spent ages 14-19 living in Bush Hills directly to the north of Sportsman. We were members of the club. Never cared for the food or the pool that much, but loved the lake for fishing and the grounds for running around. They let me launch my first little catamaran in the lake so I could practice before taking it out on Lake Hefner.

Wonder if it will become apartments and utilize the lake?

[Pete]

I bet either apartments or a couple of crappy hotels.

[adaniel]

Ugh, I would really hate that. I seriously do not get this city's aversion to quality residential infill.

While 39th Street is nothing special, Bush Hills and neighborhoods to the north are desirable enough that this plot could easily fit a few owner occupied townhouses or single family homes. And with a wooded/lake view they could probably sell for a premium.

[bluedogok]

A friend's family had a membership there and we went swimming there a bunch.

[ABryant]

Worked there in the kitchen in high school. I always thought that it was funny that there was a one-way window/mirror in the bar so the drinkers could watch the girls sunbathing and swimming.

[GaryOKC6]

There are also several groups like the Lions club who meet there monthly. I am sure they will all be scrambling to find another meeting spot which is not always easy.

[MustangGT]

My famliy were members there for over 25 years. My dad and I utilized the sporting lodges and leases around the state extensively. It was formed as a hunting/fishing club and not a country club. Membership has been on the wane over the last several years. Several reasons were a changing demographic and there were serious internal aka personalty issues that drove away many members. When the food was good it was really great. When it was not it was just okay.

Sad to see it go. It has become part of a disappearing era. W/O a golf course you really limit your reach. Fortunately they are keeping the leases and from a hunting/fishing perspecive this sale might actually help the hunters/anglers who are what really built and sustained the club from the beginnig.

[windowphobe]

Is that little tract of land still officially outside OKC city limits?

[CCOKC]

There are also several groups like the Lions club who meet there monthly. I am sure they will all be scrambling to find another meeting spot which is not always easy.

I am a member of a group that meets there every other Thursday. We are meeting tomorrow to discuss our options since this will be our last meeting there before the auction. There are quite a few groups that meet there on a regular basis. I do not know if it is like that every day but there are anywhere from 6-7 groups there in different meeting rooms when we are there. The decor is quite dated but the food was decent and it was comfortable enough. I also live in the neighborhood and am eager to see what becomes of the land.

[BBatesokc]

Lets hope it doesn't become "Willow Cliff Lakseshore Aptartments II."

[MustangGT]

Is that little tract of land still officially outside OKC city limits?

I believe it still is, yes.

[barrettd]

Nothing like thread necromancy, but it appears the buildings have been razed on the property. Any idea what the plans are for the land?

[Canoe]

I heard they were thinking of building some eldercare houses there.

[ABryant]

The Chickasaw Nation owns it now.

[OKCRT]

The Chickasaw Nation owns it now.

A Nice Hotel/Casino maybe?

[zookeeper]

A Nice Hotel/Casino maybe?

They could if they wanted to. Talk about a boom for NW 39th. If it truly is owned by the Chickasaw Nation, it's sovereign territory and they would only need to work with OKC on roads, etc. Am I mistaken?

Edit: Owned by the Chickasaw Nation, but they have other plans for that (beautiful) property.
https://www.facebook.com/TheChickasa...32422083532954

[OKCRT]

If the Chickasaw Nation did buy that and built a nice casino it would be a huge hit IMO. The closet other casino option that I am aware of is in Remington Park and I personally don't really consider that a casino. I don't go to casinos often but if they built a nice one in that area I would give them a little more money than what I do now. I like to go to the casino once in a while but don't like the drive to Shawnee or Norman.

[Pete]

Tribes can only build casinos on property transferred to them by the federal government.

Has to be under tribal jurisdiction to get around the over-arching federal and local laws, and merely buying land is not the same thing.

[zookeeper]

Tribes can only build casinos on property transferred to them by the federal government.

Has to be under tribal jurisdiction to get around the over-arching federal and local laws, and merely buying land is not the same thing.

Well, there you go. Shows what I know (or don't know) about tribal laws. That should make for a very nice center. A Community Center for rental to anyone will also be built on the lake. That could be a huge hit for weddings, etc. I like their desire to preserve the natural surroundings, and it be a peaceful oasis. You can read more about their plans on their Facebook page.

[Pete]

I believe tribal jurisdiction can be implemented on acquired property but it's rare and a tribe just buying property does not create that condition.

That's why almost all casinos are on reservations where tribal laws -- they even have their own court system -- were already in place.

[rte66man]

I believe tribal jurisdiction can be implemented on acquired property but it's rare and a tribe just buying property does not create that condition.

You are essentially correct. Te Federally recognized tribes can buy land and petition for it to be placed in trust. If that is granted, then they can build anything they want. You may remember about 10 years ago the Shawnees were going to buy a piece of land on teh west side of I-35 around Britton Road. They had plans for a casino but they couldn't get it placed into trust. I know the Remington racino had something to do with that.

[Pete]

Right, I'm just saying the idea of being put into trust once a property is purchased is not going to happen in the middle of OKC, which is why there are no casinos anywhere near.

[Urbanized]

The way "casino" automatically pops up anytime the Chickasaws (or any other tribe) gets involved with a property is starting to border on offensive. Tribes in general and the Chickasaws in particular have incredibly diverse holdings and ventures besides gaming. I know it's unintentional, but this one-dimensional, knee-jerk thinking whenever tribes enter the picture does them a disservice.

[Pete]

Old Sportsman's Club to become Chickasaw Community Center and Senior Center

Ground was broken last month for a new Chickasaw Community Center and Senior Center on the 50-acre property formerly operated as the Sportman's Club at 4001 NW 39th Expressway.

On the south shores of a 26-acre lake, all the former Sportman's Country Club facilities have been demolished to make way for two large structures, parking and recreation facilities.

The Community Center structure will be two stories in height and approximately 31,400 square feet.

It will feature a large lobby with a fireplace and a large banquet hall, which includes a multipurpose stage. The banquet hall will accommodate 950 guests and is equipped with a state-of-the-art audio visual system.

The Senior Center will be one story and 11,600 square feet and includes a catering kitchen for large events and a family-style kitchen for smaller gatherings. Additional spaces include restrooms, an office, storage, a meeting room and a large patio area directly off the lobby.

The buildings will provide a central location in Oklahoma City where Chickasaw citizens will have a place for family reunions, community council meetings, picnics and a variety of other events.

Once complete, the property will also include recreational areas and courts.

3,500 Chickasaw citizens currently reside in the Oklahoma City metro area.