OklahomaHorses Magazine May 2023

May / June 2023 • OklahomaHorses 13 Back in the 1980s when the National Finals Rodeo was leaving Oklahoma City, fairground officials were looking for a new industry to take up residence in the facility. Horse shows became their target. “The individuals in power at the time had the forethought to identify the equine industry as something they might want to build their business around, so they pursued horse shows,” Munz said. “As they secured more events, we realized that the OKC Fairgrounds hosted more national and international equine events than any other venue or city in the world.” Last year, the fairgrounds hosted 20 equine events with a total of 685,114 people in attendance. More than $150 million of direct spending was generated within Oklahoma City as a result. “There are plenty of surrounding cities — Fort Worth, Louisville, Tulsa, Denver — looking at how important these equine events are for the local economy,” Munz said. “Those cities are upgrading their facilities, much like what we’re doing, in hopes of luring some of those big events out of Oklahoma City. We have to make sure we stay competitive with those other facilities.” Something no other city or facility can duplicate is Oklahoma City’s central location. Direct access to the fairgrounds from Interstate 40 and Interstate 35 make it more than convenient for horse haulers to get in and out. The acres and acres of ample free parking are a fringe benefit. A New Icon In January 2023, golden shovels broke the cold, hard ground for a new icon to grace the OKC Fairgrounds. An arena coliseum befitting the champions crowned within its walls began construction just outside the Jim Norick. For the next two years, the Norick will watch its successor go up piece by piece. “One of the principal concepts of the new design is the open concourse,” Munz said of the coliseum, which is funded partly by MAPS 4. “When you’re in the concourse of the Jim Norick, you can’t see what’s going on if you leave your seat. This open concourse will give spectators a sight line to the arena floor from almost anywhere in the coliseum.” This definitive design matches what many of the competing arenas already have. To set itself apart even more, the new arena will boast a full-service restaurant, upscale concessions and seating, and a few suites. “Once we open the new building, which should be in April of 2025, we’ll build a connector between the coliseum and the Super Barn,” Munz added. “We’re still in the process of designing the connector, but we’re hoping to include another show ring, along with vendor spacing, so that an equine event can take place in the connector while a nonequine event is going on in the coliseum.” The new coliseum will undoubtedly outweigh the inconvenience of the construction in the coming months, but the OKC Fairgrounds staff is doing all it can to minimize disruptions for all visitors to the property. “We’re excited to finally get this project under way,” Munz said. “They’re putting up two pillars a day, and 150 are needed to support the building. April 2025 can’t come soon enough.” Below, construction of the new coliseum at the OKC Fairgrounds began in January 2023 just outside the Jim Norick Arena. The iconic Norick will continue to host events while its successor goes up slowly but surely for the next two years. Ribbon cutting for the new coliseum is expected in April 2025. Left, the main lobby of the new coliseum at the OKC Fairgrounds will wow contestants and spectators at the more than 20 national and international horse events hosted in Oklahoma City every year.