The future home of some Sooner sports, including basketball, could be up in the air after comments made by the University’s President.
In an interview with the school newspaper, OU President Joe Harroz said that the university and its donors would look to other cities outside of Norman to build a new arena. The proposed location near 24th and Rock Creek Road would be the future home of OU sports, including basketball and women’s gymnastics, a roughly seven-mile commute from the current Lloyd Noble Arena.
While some students worry about a further move from campus, OU officials believe that being anchor tenants of a new arena in a new entertainment district would bring numerous benefits. However, Norman officials have put this idea on hold, stating that further studies need to be conducted before plans are approved.
Last September, Team Norman unveiled big plans for the district, but Harroz has made it clear that if the City of Norman doesn’t move the plan forward, university stakeholders will look elsewhere. The proposed entertainment district is expected to be a billion-dollar project financed through private donors and tax revenue with an 80/20 split.
Norman Mayor Larry Heikkila emphasized the importance of the project for the city’s future prosperity, stating that if it cannot be done in Norman, the university will have to look elsewhere. The next steps involve finalizing the tax increment financing committee and having the Norman planning committee review the proposal.