New Norman Development

[kimard]

http://newsok.com/development-propo...rting-arena-exposition-center/article/5564780

Thoughts?

 

[sybarite]

Long way from students.

 

[rocjunkie]

Well I have to drive about 35 mins to get to any activity in Norman, so personally doesn't matter, however, I do like the fact that the soccer, tennis, baseball, softball, and basketball venues are in close proximity, and I can park at the Loyd Noble and either walk or shuttle to Owen Field. I am not sure it is a good idea. JMHO.

 

[Soonercuda]

The next big capital project for the athletic department will be to improve the stadium west side upper deck for press box, suites, club seats, etc. So this is the only way to get an improved basketball arena in the near future. I do agree off campus would be a negative. It does seem they are floating the idea out there to see what kind of feedback they get from OU fans and citizens of Norman...as both I am mildly for it but need to understand how the funding would work.

By the way Lloyd Noble would continue to be the home for gymnastics and the practice facility for basketball.

 

[sybarite]

Spending a lot of money for a non-revenue sport. Surprises me that they would want to spend that kind of money. In a state that is cutting expenditures on education, seems curious that they want to spend so much for non-revenue producers.

Where I live, we do have a recreational area that includes a field house, but it also includes a library, community center, and auditorium. Field house only seats about 3,500, but I've yet to see it full. It works, but it didn't cost $447,000,000.

Who gets the hotel? They should have to pay to be the only hotel on site.

 

[Oliver Hardy]

This is stupid in my opinion. You think you're going to get more rich people from North Norman to come or anyone to come down from the city? Horsehockey. This will be a concert and event center, women's basketball is just the excuse/justification.

I hope this gets killed dead in its tracks by the new president (Frank Keating or Tom Cole) and the regents.

 

[Soonercuda]

Oliver only part of the hope will be a newer nicer arena 15 minutes closer to OKC will draw more people. More importantly it is to better monetize the fans/corporations that already buy tickets with the suites and club seats at premium price...primarily for the men's basketball games.

 

[bob the nailer]

Student attendance at the LNC has not been good since the Sampson days. There is some hope that the new arena since it will be surrounded by entertainment venues(restaurants and bars) may increase student attendance. i think it will improve overall attendance and maybe will cut down on the number of folks who leave at the sub 4:00 time out. We could be playing osu or ku for the big 12 championship and the score is tied 65-65, when the sub 4 min time out is called people stand up and begin filing out. Long way to go to get home to OKC or Edmond. Less so from the new place. I think its a good idea.

 

[tycat947]

Long way from students.

Very few students attend basketball games, men's or women's. I would guess average student attendance for combined men's/women's game would be in the hundreds, of course most of those attending the men's game.

 

[soonerstar]

2600 space parking garage? No more free parking.