According to OKC Talk, plans have been submitted to demolish the former Myriad/Cox Center, currently known as Prairie Surf Studios, to make room for a new $1 billion arena.
In December, Oklahoma City voters approved a penny sales tax increase to fund the construction of this new venue, which will serve as the future home for the Thunder and host other major events.
Prairie Surf Studios, which had been leasing the property from the city, has been informed they will need to vacate.
Demolition is expected to begin shortly after the new year, with plans also including the removal of the pedestrian skybridge that connects to the Wyndham Grand Hotel. The area slated for demolition spans the entire block bordered by Sheridan, Reno, Robinson, and EK Gaylord, right in the heart of downtown.
The city is in the process of interviewing architectural firms for the arena project, and conceptual designs are expected to be released soon.
The target completion date for the new arena is June 2028, though the future of Paycom Center remains uncertain.
Why isn’t the pay com center good enough for the Thunder and it’s fan’s so that the MYRIAD can still be used for other events!!
The Myriad is over 50 years old and not in great shape. Paycom Center was built in 2002 and is very basic, was not designed to host a professional sports team. A new arena is needed to stay competitive with keeping the Thunder and major events in the city.
NOT the Myriad Gardens. They are staying.