Forum: Oklahomatidbits.com General Forum (go)
Moderators:  /  David Smith Jr

I know I have brought this up before and have got some response to it. There are rumors floating around that Okc is planning on building a new arena for the sonics if they come to Okc. The location is picked out as well as the devolpment plans are in the works according to this rumor. But the person that brought up the rumor will not say where the location is. According to the poster there are some"big" buck people involved in this deal and if it came to a vote of the people they would get it pushed though no problem and I gather some of the "big" money is political.

I got a a couple of questions to this for you guys. 1) would you support a bond issue for a new arena , poster said he thinks it would not be a problem and most people would vote for it 2) IMO the money needs to be spent in other areas of OKC other than a new arena, your thoughts 3) If we got a new arena could we have our own chili bowl?

I think that is all the questions I have for now about this. To answer my own question I posed. Heck no i would not support it, we got a perfectly fine arena and if they think it is too old or not fancy enough for the "big" money people they should have built what they wanted in the first place. Money needs to be spent on street, bridges, fire and police last time I knew MWC paid their fireman more than any other city in the metro area and it is half the size of OKC, as well as teacher pay and for number three that is a wish in the dark.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands 
in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he 
stands at times of challenge and controversy." 
Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Erich Petersen 

If it is the "big money" people then remember that the "big money" people also have a say-so at what goes on at the fairgrounds. The "big money" people don't have an interest in Bricktown like they do the fairgrounds.

With the fairgrounds, you have plenty and plenty of parking and EASY access from just about anywhere.

Just some food for thought.

David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com

One of the big money people is Benett. This poster either knows the Benett family or knows the man himself so I gather alot of the info is coming from the horse mouth.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands 
in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he 
stands at times of challenge and controversy." 
Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Erich Petersen 

I think we are years off from anything happening to the Fairgrounds. They've already added a lot of horse crap (literally) in just the last few years.......and there is even a lot more room for them to add more.If by the 1st post it implies a possibility of an interest being taken in building a new arena at the fairgrounds........I wouldn't think so. And I think they would have to almost revamp the entire area near and around the fairgrounds and I don't see that happening with all the other issues that need to be addressed. With all the room for development at the Fairgrounds.......I think the speedway is safe for a lot longer than most of us have thought. And as far as the speedway is concerned......there are more pressing issues at hand.

I would much rather see a pro football or baseball or even soccer team here - pro basketball sucks I think. but I do think it is good for Oklahoma City and the surrounding areas to have a professional sports team. When the Hornets were here the #'s were better than half of the league. I think thats a good sign for OKC. The Hornets should never have left. amazing all the effort made by different people to get the pro teams back to New Orleans and keep the french quarter ripe for drunks.......but the vast majority of the displaced american citizens labeled refugees are not welcome back. oops sorry........got off topic there.

It could be a really good opportunity for OKC. But outside of racing - for weekday entertainment - I still think the Redhawks or ESPECIALLY the BLAZERS are much more exciting than a bunch of laxadaisical overpaid punks showing off how they can shoot but not play defense. If I want to support a basketball team I'll support a real one that needs and deserves it........the OU mens basketball team.

How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

The area that is being talked about as a possiblity by other people is the area south of the present Ford center. I guess in the area of the OG&E substation on Robinson.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands 
in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he 
stands at times of challenge and controversy." 
Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Erich Petersen 

I received an answer for a request to rent the State Fair Arena or the Show Barn to produce two of our rounds of our Indoor Motorsports Events this winter.  Fairgrounds informed me they are not allowing any future motorsports events to be produced inside the buildings due to lack of proper ventilation.  And they also pointed to future construction at the facilities.  Hope that includes installing proper ventilation for Indoor Motorsports Events.   

Tulsa Fairgrounds has four buildings that can accomodate Motorsports events.  1. Pavillion 2. Expo 3. Livestock Arena 4. Educational Building.

Tulsa tax payers approved Vision 2025 which included upgrades on the Expo that paid for a CO2 meter system connected to a computerized system of louvered vents on the sides of the Expo that open if the CO2 level reaches a set number.  The air exchanger brings in fresh air, heats it during the winter and it is removed out the ceiling using large high volume fans. 

http://www.vision2025.info/project.php?project=expocenterroofreplacement;category=exposquare

Information on the ventilation project.

Of couse I was also told by building engineers during a board room meeting not to use more than 8" of dirt on the floor of the Myriad Arena for the Arencross Race track we built there as the floor was only rated at 250lbs per square foot. Wonder how they justified the Circus Elephant standing on one foot? 

We used styrofoam to build the jumps, then covered them with clay.  Building management did allow us to drive Dump Trucks onto the floor while using a very heavy skid loader to remove the dirt following the event.  Things that make you go HUH?

Catpuppy, to answer your question is, I would vote "no" if I lived in OKC and needed to do another arena. The NBA already stated that the current facility was just fine. OKC cut corners and steps to save money on the current Ford Center and that is there fault.

I think the powers to be better make sure there is a definate that we will land an NBA team if a new arena is built. Wouldn't it be egg on face if people voted for a new arena, arena is built but we get no NBA team?

David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com