ONEOK Field Construction 95 Percent Complete

By Craig Day, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Tulsa's new downtown ballpark, ONEOK Field, has come a long way since the ground breaking in December of 2008.

But the clock is ticking, as we're just two months from the first pitch in the new stadium.

"The fan experience is going to be tremendously different," said Bob Jack, Manhattan Construction.

Construction crews working on the new Tulsa Drillers downtown stadium are rounding third and heading for home. The ballpark is 95 percent finished, despite a lot of winter weather. 

Fans will be impressed by a playground past the outfield, larger seats and a concourse that runs all the way around the ballpark.

"You want to get up and move a little bit, you can walk all the way around this place and at any point, still turn around and see part of the game," said Chuck Lamson, Tulsa Drillers President.

And then there are the views -- of the city skyline and the action.

"All those put together, really makes it a great venue for the fans," said Bob Jack.

It's not only a great venue for the fans, but also a great facility for players. From a 65 foot long home dugout, to an indoor practice facility underneath the stadium, to the locker room that is much larger, nicer, and more tech friendly. 

Then there is the new press box where the game will be covered and called.

Crews still need to install the sound system and some light fixtures, plus have some painting and cleaning to do. 

Street work outside the stadium is about 75 percent complete. Construction managers expect everything to be ready by the April 8th home opener. 

While there were a lot of great memories at Drillers Stadium, the Drillers are looking forward to making new ones, and believe they hit a home run with the new ONEOK Field.