Photo: Oklahoma’s $1B Entertainment District Previewed in Renderings After Approval

Adam WellsSeptember 19, 2024

Mitchell Layton

Renderings of the new Rock Creek Entertainment District in Oklahoma have been made public after the Norman City Council approved funding for the $1 billion project.

The district will be the centerpiece for a new arena that will be home to the Sooners’ basketball and gymnastics programs.

Front Office Sports @FOSNorman City Council has approved Oklahoma’s $1 billion Rock Creek Entertainment District.

Its centerpiece is set to be a new state-of-the-art arena for the Sooners’ basketball and gymnastics programs. pic.twitter.com/fqcOMvsUlA

Per Colton Sulley of The Oklahoman, the Norman City Council approved the project in a 5-4 vote on Wednesday. The total cost of the development project is $1.2 billion, with the new arena replacing the Lloyd Noble Center.

“Tonight, we saw strong leadership when our city needed it most,” OU athletic director Joe Castiglione said in a statement after the vote (h/t Sulley). “This was indeed a vote for a transformative opportunity for the City of Norman and Cleveland County.”

Oklahoma Sooners @OU_AthleticsWith tonight’s approval of the Rock Creek Entertainment District, we are one step closer to providing Sooner Nation and our programs with championship opportunities.

We are thankful to Mayor Heikkila and the Norman City Council for their support!#BoomerSooner pic.twitter.com/vpHefHcK7v

Despite the project’s approval from the city council, Mason Young of the Tulsa World did note it is “likely” that citizens could file a referendum that would challenge the decision and set up a vote of the people that would determine if the city uses taxpayer money to fund the project.

There were two public hearings scheduled to discuss the project—on Sept. 4 and 17—to go over questions and opinions from local residents.

Per Young, Oklahoma University is expected to contribute $100 million of the $330 million total cost for the new arena and supporting infrastructure. He added that the Lloyd Noble Center will be used as a practice facility and other university events in the future.

In addition to a new arena, the proposed entertainment district will feature shops, restaurants, office space, new housing and a hotel.

The new arena is expected to include 8,000 seats for basketball games and gym meets, with the possibility of additional seats for other events.

The Lloyd Noble Center has a capacity of 10,967. It has been the home for Sooners’ basketball since it opened in 1975.