Study Shows Need for New Convention Center

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- City leaders are looking to making another change to downtown Oklahoma City, claiming it is critical to develop a newer, larger convention center.

The study released Tuesday reported the Cox Convention Center is too old and too small.

Vendors are putting final touches on the Cox Convention Center for this week's Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship.

It's only the second time these games will be hosted inside the 36-year-old building that some feel is inadequate.

Roy Williams, President of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber said the new report is proof that changes must be made to the Cox Convention Center if the city intends to compete for future conventions, visitors and tax dollars.

Read the report on the need of a newer, larger facility.

The report by CS&L International compares our center with 15 others in 13 different cities, including Tulsa.

"They have bigger centers, they have more modern centers," Williams said. "They have more infrastructures, they have better meeting rooms, they have better ballrooms."

Based on the study, the Chamber is calling for the construction of a new convention center for Oklahoma City. Williams said it's a critical issue that the city needs to address as soon as possible.

"Many of the downtown restaurants, entertainment centers, hotels and even attractions are very dependent upon convention attendees," Williams said.

The report recommends the 'new' center be built in one of five spots:

• -In the existing location across from the Ford Center
• -An undetermined location in north Bricktown.
• -Just south of the Ford Center
• -Near the lumber company just south of Interstate 40
• -Further south where the Cotton Co-op facility is located

Williams said the existing location is already out of the question and there's no word on what will happen to this building if another convention center is constructed.