Construction Of New OKC Fairgrounds Coliseum Expected To Start Next Year

A new coliseum is coming to the Oklahoma City fairgrounds. 

Demolition of the current Norick Arena and construction of a new $84 million facility is expected to begin in 2022. 

A preliminary report presented to the Oklahoma State Fairground Subcommittee of the MAPS Citizens Advisory Board shows renderings of the proposed coliseum. Click here to see the report. 

Most of the coliseum’s construction will be funded by the voter-approved MAPS 4 measure, which will provide roughly $63 million. Another $25 million will come from city hotel tax revenues “already earmarked for fairgrounds improvements,” according to the city website. 

David Todd, the MAPS program manager for Oklahoma City, said construction could start in the summer of 2022, pending approval by city leaders. 

The new coliseum site is just south of the Norick Arena, and will be able to similarly change layouts for different events like livestock shows, basketball games and concerts. 

The seating capacity, depending on the event, will range from roughly 5,000 to 8,000 seats. 

Inspiration for the building’s design include Native American and Western patterns. Construction is expected to be completed in 2024. 

The Norick Arena has the largest economic impact in Oklahoma City out of all public buildings, according to the city website. Todd said the new construction will keep events coming back. 

“We want to keep those horse shows coming back,” he said. “This will be just a new fresh look at the arena doing a lot of the same things that it is doing now.”