DURANT, Okla. (OBV) – The MAPS-funded OG&E Coliseum is now open at the OKC Fairgrounds after over two years of construction.
OG&E Coliseum opened in June at 301 Gordon Cooper Blvd., south of the Jim Norick Arena, which it is replacing. Norick Arena is set to be demolished in August. Construction on the Coliseum began in April 2023.
City officials have touted the new state-of-the-art venue as the “crown jewel” of OKC Fair Park.
“Of all our venues, the Jim Norick Arena has actually been the most significant economic driver, because it is used 52 weeks a year by visitors,” said Mayor David Holt. “It stands at the center of our status as the horse show capital of the world. But that status was threatened by the decline of the aging facility. This new OG&E Coliseum allows us to maintain this economic impact, which is estimated to be $400 million a year. We look forward to that continued benefit and the many memories that will be made in this stunning new facility.”
The 216,164-square-foot facility cost $82 million to build. The total investment for the project is estimated to be $126 million, with funds coming from MAPS 3, MAPS 4, hotel tax revenue and other funding sources, according to City of Oklahoma City officials.
The Coliseum can seat more than 7,000 people and includes a lounge, suites and several upscale concession areas, an A/V suite and a sophisticated catwalk system.
“Our horse, ag, and sporting events business is extremely important to not only the OKC Fair Park but also to the City of Oklahoma City’s economy. The hospitality industry is bolstered tremendously by the volume of business that passes through Fair Park each year,” said Kirk Slaughter, President & CEO for Oklahoma State Fair, Inc. “This building, with its state-of-the-art amenities, will be a game changer for the numerous national and international horse shows that call the OKC Fair Park home. The Norick Arena served us well, but it was time for a new facility and we’re so very happy that time is now.”
It also features a 3.9mm pixel indoor Daktronics DVN-3052 video board display that is 19 feet high and 20 wide and produces full color video, animations and scoring/timing data.
The Coliseum will host a wide range of events, including the following:
- National and International Equine and Livestock Shows
- Disney On Ice
- Rodeos
- Concerts
- Sporting Events
- Conventions
State Fair Arena debuted in September 1965. It cost $2.4 million to build and was partly financed by an Oklahoma City bond. Remaining development funds came from the Oklahoma State Fair. It was renamed Jim Norick Arena in 1971 in honor of OKC’s elected mayor, who served from 1959-1963 and from 1967-1971.
Legendary country music artist Reba McEntire sang the Star-Spangled Banner at Norick Arena for the National Finals Rodeo in 1974, back she was still unknown.
