Renovations to make Oklahoma City's Ford Center ready for the new NBA basketball team will begin this summer and are scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2010.
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In his Wednesday night press conference, team owner Clay Bennett said he expects there to be some progress next season with everything ready for the team the following year.
The city planned to follow the same construction schedule, regardless of whether the team moved to Oklahoma City in time for the 2008-2009 season or was forced to play two more years in Seattle to fulfill a Seattle lease agreement, said Tom Anderson, special projects coordinator for Oklahoma City.
Brighter lighting and upgrades to wiring and the broadcast infrastructure will be made this summer, Anderson said. NBA staff members identified these as things that needed to be done immediately to facilitate television broadcasts of games, Anderson said.
City officials have identified several other improvements they would like to have completed by the end of 2008 to improve things for the public and enhance team revenues, he said. Improvements to such things as restrooms, some event sponsor areas, bunker suites and a sponsors' pub would fit in that category, he said. Details about which projects can be done in that short time frame are still being worked out.
The most massive improvements will be put off until after the Big 12 basketball tournament and women's regional tournament in March 2009 to avoid inconveniencing fans, Anderson said.
Following those tournaments, the Ford Center will have to be closed down for a couple of months — at least as far as concert activities are concerned — so major construction work can be done, Anderson said.
During that time, a warm-up area will be built in the southeastern part of the Ford Center, a loading dock with a covered shelter will be built and other major construction work will be done.
Improvements will continue until the fall of 2010, with an off-site practice facility also being built.
Oklahoma City residents voted March 4 to extend a 1-cent sales tax 15 months to pay for $100 million in improvements to the Ford Center and construction of a new $20 million practice facility for the team.
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bob, feel free to refute any of the "crap" anytime you want. Unlike some people (not you) I don't post the same thing 10 or 12 times in the same thread. I apologize if the same post in different threads offends you. You are free to ignore any "duplicate" posts (just as those who have complained Jill's and my posts are too long, and sometimes they definitely are), they are free to scroll right past them.
Here it comes, although the Mayor’s office said the seating in the Ford was “adequate” (in response as to why we aren’t adding any seats to the Ford and actually decreasing seating by 500 after the “improvements”...dropping us from #14 to #24). The Mayor said the following:
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http://www.newsok.com/article/3265341
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Now that Seattle lawsuit has been settled, the NBA is on its way here to stay (July 3, 2008)
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“I think somebody is going to have to pinch me to think this day is really here,” Cornett said. “If I had a concern — and my tongue is not in my cheek — I’m concerned WE DON’T HAVE ENOUGH SEATS in that arena. I think the season ticket sales are going to blow the roof off the building.”
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They are already gearing up for the demands for a new arena (due to inadequate seating) and we haven’t even started making the improvements or collected one penny of the $100 million yet. Maybe they can alter the plans and increase seating somehow. Otherwise, we are flushing $100 million down the improved Ford toilets.
Ford Center renovations will begin this summer. The naming rights will be re-negotiated. by John Clanton, THE OKLAHOMAN archive
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Thank you for joining our conversations on NewsOK.com. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.
Leave a comment. Log in below or sign up (it's free).Editor's note: It is not our intent to offer comments on crime or fatality stories.
_________________________________________________________________
http://www.newsok.com/article/3265341
_________________________________________________________________
Now that Seattle lawsuit has been settled, the NBA is on its way here to stay (July 3, 2008)
_________________________________________________________________
“I think somebody is going to have to pinch me to think this day is really here,” Cornett said. “If I had a concern — and my tongue is not in my cheek — I’m concerned WE DON’T HAVE ENOUGH SEATS in that arena. I think the season ticket sales are going to blow the roof off the building.”
_________________________________________________________________
They are already gearing up for the demands for a new arena (due to inadequate seating) and we haven’t even started making the improvements or collected one penny of the $100 million yet. Maybe they can alter the plans and increase seating somehow. Otherwise, we are flushing $100 million down the improved Ford toilets.