Ford Center Gets Upgraded for Thunder

By Alex Cameron, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- From January through March, the Ford Center was as busy as it's ever been with the Thunder, the Blazers, March Madness, and other special events. Now, the arena will be busy all summer long with renovations to kick it up a notch for the Thunder.

"Oklahoma City was really smart in building the Ford Center in that they built a really good functional building, but they didn't put in all the extras," said the Ford Center's Marketing Director Tim Linville.

The economics of the NBA however, require arenas to have the extras so, in the arena bowl, 18 suites are being removed at the north and south ends, to make room for two new clubs.

"Where people can come in and grab something to eat, something to drink, and actually sit in the club and watch what's going on on the floor," Linville said.

And 48 loge boxes will also be added.

"A loge box is sort of a suite without the walls. You've got all the amenities of a suite, but it's a lot less expensive," said the Ford Center's Marketing Director

On the lower level, demolition is making room for the Thunder's new locker room with all the bells and whistles.

"Some video areas, areas for team meetings, meeting rooms, that sort of thing where they can really break down tape, work on strategy, coaches offices, even training areas where they've got hot tubs, cold tubs," said Linville.

The team's old locker room is being converted into a new VIP lounge. But the biggest changes, arena officials say, will be in Loud City.

"The hallways and everything are going be totally redone," Linville said. "They'll have a brand new experience. It ought to be really neat and I can't wait to see people's faces when they come back."

Now, while the arena will be closed the next four months, the Ford Center box office will remain open.

Construction started this week. It's scheduled to wrap up by about October 1. A second round of renovation work will follow the conclusion of next season. That phase will add 300,000 square feet and a new southwest entrance to the building. The total cost of is expected to be $100 million.

Learn more about the improvements to the Ford Center.