Tulsa's New Arena (Owasso, Kansas, Okay: wedding, tenants, taxi)

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by BigOkie

If it's like I think, it won't be received very fondly given that Mayor Cornett has essentially told Tulsa to FO when it comes to the naming of the team. Sure, he wants to include Tulsa in the market share, but not when it comes to naming the team.

I could care less. Hockey is my sport and I'm waiting until October for it. I lived in Houston for three years during the height of the Rocket's run with Olajuwon. I'm NBA'd out.

Maybe he doesn't want them to play in Tulsa because they'll like the BOK Center better than the Ford Center?

As for the whole naming thing. It's not exactly what Cornett said, but the manner in which he said it that I think could have been handled a little better.

When the NBA commish suggested that the name be the "Oklahoma whatevers" (as opposed to the OkC xxxxx), he was very quick and emphatic in saying, NO NO NO! Without a pause or saying "perhaps we'll consider that option" or anything like that.

I can understand as Mayor you champion for your city but I'm wondering if the manner in which he emphatically drove home the point about it being only an "OkC team" will hurt them in the long run.

OkC alone will keep the games at Ford Center packed for at least the next few years. But, after the new wears off and they start losing attendance (which is natural for any team) after three to five years, they'll be looking to a rather large metropolitan area just up the turnpike for additional fan base that probably won't be there.

And before any OkC folks come in and say foul!, I'm just speculating based on my opinion - there's no bashing going on here so don't get your panties in a wad.

[New In Prue]

They're really making progress on the iconic wall base this week. Once they get
shingles on the "shark fin" above the entry, I think we'll have a lot better appreciation
for what the final look will be. It's looking better every day:

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by New In Prue

They're really making progress on the iconic wall base this week. Once they get
shingles on the "shark fin" above the entry, I think we'll have a lot better appreciation
for what the final look will be. It's looking better every day:

Thanks New. This arena is spectacular. I just love everything about it, from the wider seats to the design that is out of this world. I can't wait to attend an event there.

[New In Prue]

I don't like the ceiling. Could we see something in more of a maple, please? Just kidding..

[BigOkie]

Originally Posted by New In Prue

I don't like the ceiling. Could we see something in more of a maple, please? Just kidding..

Wow, that wood ceiling is coming right along, isn't it? And are those landscaped trees they've already got in along the south side of the building?

[sgrizzle]

Originally Posted by BigOkie

Wow, that wood ceiling is coming right along, isn't it? And are those landscaped trees they've already got in along the south side of the building?

Yeah those are new trees they've installed. I think there are some on the SW side too. They seemed to have faired better than some they were installing around 6th and main which got partially uprooted due to wind.

A wood CEILING in a glass and metal building floors me. I never would've thought of that.

[Synopsis]

Originally Posted by sgrizzle

Yeah those are new trees they've installed. I think there are some on the SW side too. They seemed to have faired better than some they were installing around 6th and main which got partially uprooted due to wind.

A wood CEILING in a glass and metal building floors me. I never would've thought of that.

I like the wood ceiling. At first I thought WTH? But, I think it will make the inside much warmer.

What a neat building... This thing is truly an icon for Tulsa.

[BigOkie]

Originally Posted by Synopsis

I like the wood ceiling. At first I thought WTH? But, I think it will make the inside much warmer.

What a neat building... This thing is truly an icon for Tulsa.

Got bored tonight and thought I could get some good pictures of distant thunderheads with the impending gloom and doom...instead I went downtown and got some photos.

They have the nameplate up on the southwest side of the building, as well as above the main entrance.

Enjoy.

BOK Center 06/05/2008 - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/oilerfan/sets/72157605453329214/ - broken link)

[New In Prue]

BigOkie, fantastic pics! They really had some tricks up their sleeve, didn't they...like: neon!! logo above the entrance (who'd have thought?)...and stone inlay instead of concrete entries...this thing really IS looking high-class. I hope you don't mind if I post my favorite of your pictures:

[Synopsis]

It's more spectacular every day. Better than the designs promised. Wow.

Thanks for the pictures. They are fantastic!