New State Fair Coliseum

[Pete]

What is shown underground are piles driven into the earth to support the arena structure.

[jn1780]

So phase 4 calls for a temporary connector, parking lot, and sod where old arena is. So it seems likely, the state fair's future plans is to eventually extend the super barn out all the way to new arena at some point in the future.

[Pete]

So phase 4 calls for a temporary connector, parking lot, and sod where old arena is. So it seems likely, the state fairs future plans is to eventually extend the super barn out all the way to new arena at some point in the future.

Originally, they planned to include a holding barn in that spot, but it was removed due to the budget.

[shawnw]

don't worry, they'll find a way to screw another project down the line to get the barn

[chssooner]

don't worry, they'll find a way to screw another project down the line to get the barn

No need to be pious. The fairgrounds have a major, major impact on this city, not even including the hotel and motel taxes and increased sales taxes from people attending the events there.

In all honesty, the arena should be bigger than it is. That should be the argument.

[HangryHippo]

don't worry, they'll find a way to screw another project down the line to get the barn

This.

[shawnw]

No need to be pious. The fairgrounds have a major, major impact on this city, not even including the hotel and motel taxes and increased sales taxes from people attending the events there.

In all honesty, the arena should be bigger than it is. That should be the argument.

No disagreement. It should be bigger, it brings in money. That's not the issue.

[Laramie]

State Fair Coliseum should have a minimum permanent seating capacity of 10,000. They should double the capacity of this arena with 6,000 lower bowl seats and an upper deck capable of adding 4,000+ portable or retractable seats.

This coliseum should also have an ice plant where it is capable of hosting ice hockey, ice skating events & basketball. Increase the budget for this venue to $125 million.

Hope the committee reconsider the inadequate capacity and exercise the full potential of a State Fair Coliseum.

This current bowl seating design looks like the old Stockyard Coliseum built in the 1930s and it seats less.

[HOT ROD]

should be bigger, especially considering the city's contribution (as usual) and the supposed impact the fairgrounds generate.

So why was this lowballed?

[bombermwc]

Materials prices.

[PhiAlpha]

don't worry, they'll find a way to screw another project down the line to get the barn

So you’re saying they left the barn door open for it to be built in the future?

[Pete]

They aren't wasting any time...

Just filed the complete set of building applications for this project.

[Laramie]

Good news for a new coliseum that will provide an economic boost in retaining all of the horse shows to renew their contracts in Oklahoma City.

[Sean21]

Good for the small school basketball championships. I know they love the “big house” but it is time to upgrade. The fairgrounds is a great central spot for this tournament. On another note if the bricktown stadium ever comes to fruition it’s a fantastic spot for high school championship football.

[Laramie]

Pete, are these plans consistent with the complete set of applications being filed:

https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?...-arena-revised

Eliminated from previously disclosed plans: an upper level of seating and a small horse/livestock arena between the existing barns and the new facility, along with more barn and multi-purpose space.

Seating capacity would be reduced by 1,354 for basketball and 1,682 for concerts.

The construction would occur in such a way that the existing Norick Arena would remain operational until the new facility is complete, then it would be demolished.

[HOT ROD]

sorry, but I'm sure it's been lowballed to exclusively, solely use the MAPS funds and not any of the 'supposedly' massive revenue the fairgrounds generates/takes in.

[Laramie]

sorry, but I'm sure it's been lowballed to exclusively, solely use the MAPS funds and not any of the 'supposedly' massive revenue the fairgrounds generates/takes in.

Probably so, however IIRC this project is tied to the hotel room taxes, therefore it will have a continuous revenue stream.

[shawnw]

It doesn't _seem_ like that supposed continuous revenue stream was used to keep the existing arena (or the other now demolished features of the fairgrounds) in good shape or to do very many if any renovations/expansions over the years. As one of the few entities that has its own revenue streams, it sure takes a lot of money from other projects that don't have their own revenue streams and could sure use those funds.

[HOT ROD]

^^ exactly my point shawn.

They sure seem to be showing up to the pork barrel every time there's a MAPS; despite their continuous revenue stream and supposed economic impact they generate. What are they using those funds for - because as shawn stated all we see is demolition of heritage facilities, lack of maintenance of the entire property, and nothing being updated without there being a civic initiative to fund all of the costs.

I'm not saying we shouldn't get a new arena or whatever, I am saying it is difficult for me to continue funding an organization that has no oversight and has burned OKC citizens time and time again with bait and switch projects that end up getting solely funded by MAPS - and built significantly smaller than initial renderings when they PROMISED to help fund, piss poor facilities, no expanded/paved parking, no modernization of the grounds (landscaping, lighting, access), removal of iconic heritage attractions, on and on. All with no oversight, nobody saying anything, and the same old tired excuse of them being such an economic generator for the city.

With their own funding source and impact, they could be doing at least some of these projects themselves. WRWA does. And don't give me this crap about the NBA - nobody said they were self funded or generate such a direct economic impact that they alone receive; unlike the fairgrounds who says this time and time, everytime they want a MAPS project (which is every single time).

[Laramie]

You've also must consider how much of an economic impact the horse industry has on State Fair Park before you begin dismissing the Coliseum project and talking about Pork barrel. All the pork in that barrel mostly can be attributed to the out-of-state money the old State Fair Arena attracted. So don't go there...

We're building a coliseum that will keep those horse shows and events at the SFP for a longer term. The Bennett Events Center will be key to supporting the coliseum.

You have plenty of parking at the fairgrounds. We could use a parking garage on the site since there's already tons of surface parking.

Give something back to the community. The horse industry has a lot to do with the bulk of new money infused into the Oklahoma City's economy that is responsible for hotel room nights--that keeps pork in that barrel.

[Laramie]

As for the NBA. Our City signed up for the NBA which includes two facilities--an arena and a practice facility, you can't separate to two.

An ownership group invested $350 million in 2008 to bring this franchise to OKC which puts our city on a different level than many of our competitive cities like Virginia Beach-Norfolk, Louisville, Birmingham & Richmond.

We (Citizens) voted to upgrade a bare bones arena and keep it competitive with other NBA facilities with the Thunder as anchor tenant--which supports and attracts top concerts and large gathering to our city. Now we have a new convention center and luxury hotel to support and attract top quality conventions for our tier level.

MAPS 4 $115 million supported a $105 million upgrade to Paycom Center and $10 million for the Integris Thunder practice facility.

The prestige of our city being among 30 NBA cities is good advertisement as to the direction our city continues to grow. You can't buy the weight of that advertising package coupled with the sponsors that support our NBA Oklahoma City Thunder--which includes the Tribes.

MAPS for HOOPS was an extension of an existing MAPS initiative supported (2010) arena upgrades. Being an NBA City is a bright feather in OKC's cap.

So, don't go there...

[Laramie]

The new amenities and improvements are designed to enhance the guest experience at OKC Thunder games, as well at other live entertainment events. Initial improvements include $4 million to replace seats in the lower, middle and upper bowls in the arena.

The color of the new seats TBD. Bids TMK has not been sent out. It is estimated that new seating will cost $4 million.


Friendly amenities will make the Paycom Center better for guests with new seating and a balcony terrace.

[HOT ROD]

You've also must consider how much of an economic impact the horse industry has on State Fair Park before you begin dismissing the Coliseum project and talking about Pork barrel. All the pork in that barrel mostly can be attributed to the out-of-state money the old State Fair Arena attracted. So don't go there...

We're building a coliseum that will keep those horse shows and events at the SFP for a longer term. The Bennett Events Center will be key to supporting the coliseum.

You have plenty of parking at the fairgrounds. We could use a parking garage on the site since there's already tons of surface parking.

Give something back to the community. The horse industry has a lot to do with the bulk of new money infused into the Oklahoma City's economy that is responsible for hotel room nights--that keeps pork in that barrel.

Larry, Im shocked you of all people are defending the state fare board. BTW - I never said we don't need to coluseum and we've heard ad nauseum how the fairgrounds brings economic this or that to the city. So. ... why are they not funding their projects? They initially said MAPS would fund only PART of the grand new arena, now - its the ONLY funding source and therefore has been downsized from what was originally pitched in the MAPS campaign.

This is what I'm talking about. They keep showing up for handouts yet have a dedicated funding source and still keep asking MAPS to find capital projects. Imagine if the OKC Zoo, also has a guaranteed revenue stream, if they asked for MAPS money to fully fund their new Africa exhibit. Wouldn't that invite scrutiny into how the zoo is run? Imagine if WRWA asked for MAPS funds to build the new terminal? In fact, I'd vote yes if they did - but WRWA is a funded entity so they build their OWN facilities for the most part and the new terminal received no MAPS funds.

And look at the fairgrounds. With a dedicated funding source and as such an economic generator - they can't modernize the parking nor can they even upkeep the grounds; let alone execute a state fair worthy of what we used to have when you and I were 30 years younger. They are a disappointment, yet nobody seems to care that they continually dip into the MAPS Pork Barrel.

And no, the pork in the barrel comes from the OKC taxpayers (and sales tax paying visitors) not from the horse industry. sorry.

[Laramie]

That dedicated funding source didn't begin until April 1, 2020 the beginning of MAPS 4 collections. Don't have any idea as to how much money is in that dedicated source fund.

City recently approved $80 million into a MAPS 4 operating trust: https://www.okc.gov/Home/Components/News/News/4054/18

Realize that many of us got a bad taste thru the State Fair Board Trust. We eventually received those numbers which wasn't as robust as many had anticipated.

We definitely need this coliseum which was partially funded thru MAPS 4--that's why the hotel room sales tax was added as support. Hot Rod it wasn't my intentions to slight you or your thoughts--your contributions are valued and appreciated.

Crossroads Consulting, a nationally recognized expert in large public venue (LPV) consulting, found a new State Fair Park Coliseum would generate more than $230 million a year in direct spending and more than $400 million a year in total economic impact.

Study Shows Benefits of Replacing Jim Norick Arena: https://okcfairgrounds.com/new-colis...shows-benefits

Again, we're talking about the economic impact of the horse shows and affiliated events staged at SFP. This won't show up on any ledgers associated with the SFB Trust.

Only concerns with this coliseum's last design is the limited seating--slightly under 5,000. It will accommodate the horse shows that generally need about 2,500 seats on the average.

Anxious to see more on the applications submitted and final designs for this project.

[Laramie]

Concerning WRWA, they operate on federal grants, revenue bond proceeds, oil and gas revenues, and operating revenues.

OKC Will Rogers World will receive $ 6,677,636 million and Tulsa International will receive $ 5,680,089 for improvement from the Biden Infrastructure bill. 133 public airports in Oklahoma will share $137 million from the Biden bipartisan infrastructure bill with the bulk of those funds going to WRWA and Tulsa International.

Wouldn't have any problems with MAPS funds being used for WRWA expansion and/or upgrades. We need more funding sources for our largest airport to develop more cargo and passenger amenities.