Convention Center

[soonerguru]

What's funny to me about some of these zero-sum economic arguments (to be clear this is not directed at Just the Facts here), is that I see people bemoan the closures of local restaurants, shops and bars. Some of these same people insist that these places should be patronized almost exclusively over chain restaurants (I do support local). But, I see some of the same people arguing against the convention center, the streetcar and other investments because "they are for tourists," a position I don't agree with at all.

It may not be clear to folks but OKC is a regional tourism destination, and our businesses rely on a steady stream of out of towners to keep our restaurant and retail scenes thriving.

[Laramie]

The benefits of the new convention center are a long-term investment over the life of the project. Many hotels have their own convention center facilities, they may be used in coordination with the main Oklahoma City Convention Center and/or another affiliated hotel.

Our hotel growth has skyrocketed since 2000--Sheraton 395 room hotel/Tivoli Gardens Inn had less than 100 rooms. OKC now boasts over 3,500 today.

Recall back in 1972 when the Myriad Convention Center opened OKC didn't have a large downtown hotel until we open the Sheraton Hotel at 395 rooms in 1975. The 619 room Biltmore closed in 1973, didn't have the funds to remodel in coordination with the Myriad's opening and later demolished in 1977. It was determined that the costs to remodel the Biltmore/Sheraton were too high to justify its redo.

We lost hour CHL ice hockey team the year the Myriad opened--Ray Miron GM for the Tulsa Oilers brought his team to OKC to play two regular season games. In 1973-74, OKC affiliated with the Toronto Mapleleafs.

Our Incomparable Myriad Convention Center hosted the NFR throughout the seventies and early 80s when it was moved to Las Vegas in 1985. . .

Ed Cook, president of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce said the board members were promised that a domed stadium, with a seating capacity of at least 55,000, would be built in time to house the 1988 National Finals and that the purse would increase to at least $2 million then. Source: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news...y/62780647007/

We opened our new downtown arena (Ford Center-Chesapeake-Paycom) in 2002.

Let's get BEYOND PAYCOM CENTER by 2030.

[BDP]

Ed Cook, president of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce said the board members were promised that a domed stadium, with a seating capacity of at least 55,000, would be built in time to house the 1988 National Finals and that the purse would increase to at least $2 million then. Source: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news...y/62780647007/

Which is interesting, because it's still held in the Thomas and Mack Center with a capacity of around 19k. This despite a newer arena and a stadium being built in the last 6 years.

[Laramie]

Las Vegas will have the NFR locked for years once its renewed beyond 2025.

The NFL Raiders in a $1.9 billion state of the art stadium.

Now they want the MLB's Oakland Athletics: https://theathletic.com/4097332/2023...xpansion-team/

Look for Las Vegas to eventually have all four major professional sports and of course--Major League Soccer.

[Laramie]

Our situation (Downtown and Fairgrounds) in OKC with convention and even facilities:

Oklahoma City Convention Center Complex - $558 million:

($293-million), Convention Center Garage ($24 million) & Omni Hotel (241 million):
This center is 500,000 square feet and includes a 200,730 square foot exhibit hall, which is divisible into four halls. The 29,874 sq. ft. ballroom has 5,000 sq. ft pre-function space and terrace overlooking Scissortail Park. There are 27 meeting rooms and nearly 45,000 sq. ft. of meeting space that includes 9,726 square foot Junior Ballroom.

State Fair Coliseum, construction to begin in 2023 with an estimated 24 month construction timeline.
A connector (coliseum to super barn) is not included in the $102 million budget for the new coliseum.

Bennett Events Center ($58.7 million):

201,000 square feet of continuous exhibit space
12,000 square foot front lobby
10,000 square foot commercial catering kitchen for all types of events

Paycom Center investment: $190 million - (18,203 NBA basketball)

Oklahoma City will have over $850 million invested in facilities catering to conventions, large gatherings, downtown & state fair park arenas.

[therhett17]

LEGO convention to be held at Oklahoma City Convention Center in September

https://okcfox.com/news/local/lego-c...ations-charity