“This is the most ambitious public project in our history.”
—David Holt, Mayor of Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma City Thunder announced the start of construction on the Continental Coliseum, breaking ground March 26 on the $900 million arena planned for the former Myriad Convention Center downtown.
“This is the most … ambitious public project in our history,” Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said, calling the Continental Coliseum a statement of the city’s long-term commitment to remain a major league market and to invest in a downtown venue that resonates for generations.
A joint venture between Tulsa-based Flintco and Minneapolis-based Mortenson Construction is leading the project. MANICA Architecture of Kansas City, Kan., is serving as the design architect, with Atlanta-based TVS as the architect of record. Demolition of the previous structure was completed before construction began, clearing the way for the construction crew to begin work on the 750,000 square meter facility.
The project is funded primarily through penny sales tax extensions and Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) capital funds, with Oklahoma City residents and consumers contributing approximately $850 million of the total cost. The Thunder’s ownership group will contribute the remaining $50 million. Oklahoma City voters approved the project in December 2023 with a 71% approval rate.
Continental Coliseum has a target completion date of late summer 2028 for the 2028-29 NBA season, with a completion date of June 2029.
The arena’s conceptual design includes a 360-degree glass curtain wall on all concourse levels and a west-facing fan activation area at street level, called Thunder Alley, aligned with the adjacent Myriad Botanical Gardens. The capacity of the seats has not been specified.
Flintco previously built the Thunder’s current home, Paycom Center, as well as the Devon Tower skyscraper and the OKC Convention Center. The arena will be owned by Oklahoma City and operated by Legends Global.
Continental Resources, an Oklahoma City-based oil and gas company, secured a 15-year naming rights deal for the facility, announced two days before the groundbreaking. The Thunder will continue to play at the Paycom Center until the new venue opens.
