Despite the clanging of metal and the hundreds of workers focused on tasks that range from painting to checking the stadium seats, Construction Director Bob Eggleston said that the new BOK Center is on schedule and will be ready for its first event coming in September.Sand Springs guests were given a tour of the new BOK Center. Pictured entering the building are City Manager Doug Enevoldsen, in the blue shirt, Home Trustee Joe Williams, in the yellow shirt, and Chamber President J.C. Kinder, in the white. -- Leader photo by Caitlin Getchell.
"Our hotels are just 10 minutes away door to door. As we continue to develop our local retail and entertainment base, more and more people will want to stop and visit us on their way to a BOK Center event," Mayor Bob Walker said.
The group discussed how Tulsa overflow was likely to come to Sand Springs as the tour began and they were led through the back of the building onto the arena floor.
The new arena, located at Third Street and Denver Avenue in downtown Tulsa, cost $184 million, seats 18,500, covers 550,000 square feet and will be able to accommodate a variety of events, from hockey and basketball games to concerts.
From the arena floor the group went to see the dressing rooms, the locker rooms and beer distribution room. Eggleston said that rather than lugging kegs to the separate concession stands, the BOK center is equipped with pipes that each concession area can tap into for beer.
"The most important room in the entire stadium," Eggleston joked.
The tour also included a chance to see the main entrance and the view from each seating area.
As one enters the arena the main staircase and ramp-allowing every part of the building to be handicap accessible-are directly ahead and while an area to the right is open to the arena.
"Immediately when you walk in, you become a part of the event," Eggleston said.
The open area leads into the bowl seating. Following the ramp up, past the walls of windows with spectacular downtown views, leads to the premiere floor, where suites and special seating is available.
"This is first class all the way," Walker said. "We're standing with the finest sporting and entertainment venues in the nation."
The BOK Center will open to the public with a free community open house on Saturday, Aug. 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A free multi-faith celebration titled "One Song-Many Voices" featuring Sandite native singing star Sam Harris will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31. The Eagles will perform the first concert in the new facility on Sept. 6.
Original Source : http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19863254&BRD=2754&PAG=461&dept_id=574071&rfi=6
