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Not At My Table - Political Discussions => Local & State Politics => Topic started by: Conan71 on December 10, 2012, 10:09:54 pm



Title: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: Conan71 on December 10, 2012, 10:09:54 pm
Does anyone else get the sinking feeling that:

A) The Fair Board and county commissioners don't have the slightest clue what is going on at Fair Meadows nor do they understand the far-reaching effects of their agreement with the Creeks?

or

B) There is something corrupt and seedy going on with the Creek Nation.

Seems mighty strange they jumped in bed with the tribe with little to no public discussion on this.

Discuss.


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: Hoss on December 10, 2012, 10:11:02 pm
Does anyone else get the sinking feeling that:

A) The Fair Board and county commissioners don't have the slightest clue what is going on at Fair Meadows nor do they understand the far-reaching effects of their agreement with the Creeks?

or

B) There is something corrupt and seedy going on with the Creek Nation.

Seems mighty strange they jumped in bed with the tribe with little to no public discussion on this.

Discuss.

Fair board.  Sounds like the same ole same ole.  Where's Randi Miller, BTW?


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: AquaMan on December 11, 2012, 09:41:53 am
Does anyone else get the sinking feeling that:

A) The Fair Board and county commissioners don't have the slightest clue what is going on at Fair Meadows nor do they understand the far-reaching effects of their agreement with the Creeks?

AND

B) There is something corrupt and seedy going on with the Creek Nation.

Seems mighty strange they jumped in bed with the tribe with little to no public discussion on this.

Discuss.

FIFY


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: carltonplace on December 11, 2012, 12:05:36 pm
I thought the Creeks liked gaming...or I guess they like any gaming that they have control over.

So this is clearly a conflict of interest. Might be time to drive by Smaligo's house in Brady Heights and see if there are any new wings or add ons.


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: sgrizzle on December 11, 2012, 01:46:46 pm
There's still 3 weeks left in 2012 for the county commissioners to pull off a trifecta.


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: Townsend on December 11, 2012, 01:47:33 pm
It's like the Murphy's have taken control.


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: Conan71 on December 11, 2012, 02:00:06 pm
It's like the Murphy's have taken never given up control.

FIFY


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: carltonplace on December 11, 2012, 02:29:40 pm
There's still 3 weeks left in 2012 for the county commissioners to pull off a trifecta.

something brewing with the old ball park?


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: sgrizzle on December 12, 2012, 06:44:55 am
something brewing with the old ball park?

Pretty sure they'd have to set it on fire to be on par with the Racetrack and Vision2 failures


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: patric on December 12, 2012, 01:30:23 pm
Pretty sure they'd have to set it on fire to be on par with the Racetrack and Vision2 failures


(http://www.tulsaworld.com/articleimages/2007/070117_a12_toon_toonfor17.jpg)


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: DTowner on December 12, 2012, 02:33:47 pm

(http://www.tulsaworld.com/articleimages/2007/070117_a12_toon_toonfor17.jpg)

I miss Doug Marlette.


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: DTowner on December 12, 2012, 02:37:49 pm
Two lessons from recent fiasco at Expo Square:

1)  Industries wholly dependent upon subsidies for survival will fight and fight hard to preseve their subsidies; and

2)  Naming a government owned property after another sovereign government is generallly a bad idea.


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: Gaspar on December 12, 2012, 02:55:34 pm
Two lessons from recent fiasco at Expo Square:

1)  Industries wholly dependent upon subsidies for survival will fight and fight hard to preseve their subsidies; and

2)  Naming a government owned property after another sovereign government is generallly a bad idea.

Subsidies create more of whatever is being subsidized. – Lew Rockwell

Subsidize failure and you will get more failure.  ;)


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: Townsend on December 12, 2012, 05:07:20 pm
Starting to sound like the Fair Board may need to pay for naming rights.

The Tulsa County Fair Board Center.

Modified to add:

Fair Board Rescinds Deal With Muscogee Creek Nation To Rename Expo Square

http://www.newson6.com/story/20329912/fair-board-meeting-to-reconsider-live-horse-racing-at-fair-meadows?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter (http://www.newson6.com/story/20329912/fair-board-meeting-to-reconsider-live-horse-racing-at-fair-meadows?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter)

Quote
TULSA, Oklahoma - The Tulsa County fair board met Wednesday afternoon to decide whether to honor two "forgotten" agreements and continue live horse racing at Fair Meadows.
The Tulsa County Public Facilities Authority decided at the meeting to rescind their $1 million deal with the Muscogee Creek Nation to rename the expo center at the fairgrounds to "Creek Nation Center." The deal included ending live horse racing at Fair Meadows racetrack.

The deal was to take effect in January 2013.

On Monday, the fair board announced it was reconsidering the 2013 season after the Fair Meadows race director admitted he already signed deals with two horsemen groups without board members' knowledge.


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: TulsaRufnex on December 12, 2012, 05:23:20 pm
Does anyone else get the sinking feeling that:

A) The Fair Board and county commissioners don't have the slightest clue what is going on at Fair Meadows nor do they understand the far-reaching effects of their agreement with the Creeks?

A few years back it was money from Fair Meadows that was paying the bills and it was considered a money-maker, while Bells was not.
I have a list somewhere of how much the county got from everybody, including the Drillers, the health dept, Big Splash, and Fair Meadows... Fair Meadows payments dwarfed all others...
At that time, nothing was printed by the Tulsa World pointing out that alot of those payments were being subsidized by $$$ from the Creeks and other tribes...

After the year by year drip, drip, drip of reductions in ticket receipts from the racetrack, the only remaining aspects of horse racing at Fair Meadows that justify continued revenue streams for the county are based on gambling and payments from the tribes.

And we're stuck with a horsetrack with dilapidated stands surrounding a parking lot.

Yep.  Sounds like a fair deal to me.   ;D

From April 2011...... Fees paid by gaming tribes continue dramatic climb
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20110418_11_A1_CUTLIN909175

Quote
Tribes operating casinos paid the state $118 million in fees last year, up from $14 million in 2006, the first full fiscal year that gaming compacts between the tribes and the state were in effect.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tribal gaming payments to the state

2006: $14.2 million

2007: $46.8 million

2008: $81.4 million

2009: $105.5 million

2010: $118.2 million

Source: Office of State Finance
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tribal payments
Gaming compact payments to the state by tribe - 2010 fiscal year:

Chickasaw Nation, $33,330,424

Choctaw Nation, $22,753,832

Cherokee Nation, $12,208,041

Muscogee (Creek) Nation, $8,637,622

Quapaw Tribe, $5,706,714

Citizen Potawatomi, $5,499,238

Otoe-Missouria, $5,051,241

Osage, $4,858,437



B) There is something corrupt and seedy going on with the Creek Nation.

Seems mighty strange they jumped in bed with the tribe with little to no public discussion on this.

Discuss.

Actually, I bet it made sense to both parties financially.
The tribe takes over naming rights from QT in exchange for closing down a dilapidated racetrack, and disappoints the dwindling denizens of fans who go to the track.
The tribe saves millions of dollars in subsidy payments to said failing racetrack while raising its own public profile.
The county makes money and no longer has to incur costs to maintain dilapidated racetrack.

IMHO, this was a Win-Win... however, nobody asked the others getting money from the tribes (Remington Park, etc), who would rather have a lose-lose for Tulsa County and the Creeks...

Don't blame the county or the tribe... blame the horse gambling game... follow the money... then see who pays, and who benefits...


Muscogee (Creek) Nation gets naming rights for Tulsa's Expo Square

04 November 2012
http://www.nativetimes.com/business/news/8035-muscogee-creek-nation-gets-naming-rights-for-tulsas-expo-square

Quote
“We see this as a win-win,” Muscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief George Tiger said Friday at a press conference at the tribe’s headquarters in Okmulgee, Okla. “We see this as an opportunity to promote not only events at the fairgrounds, but ourselves as well. This is a tool not only for the tribe, but for the Expo Square as well.

“We’re just blessed we can do it. This site is within our original jurisdiction and this can be used as a blueprint for other tribes to do similar partnerships.”

Approved unanimously Thursday by the Tulsa County fair board, the agreement also includes a provision that Fair Meadows, a horse racing track on the fairgrounds’ property, will stop conducting live races. Prior to the Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s new agreement, the track was partially subsidized through a compact with the Cherokee, Muscogee (Creek) and Osage nations, which all have at least one casino within 20 miles of the fairgrounds.

Signed in 2005, the 15-year compact required the three tribes to contribute at least a combined $2 million to the track’s purse fund in exchange for Fair Meadows’ management not installing gaming machines. The agreement was also contingent upon the track hosting at least 400 live races annually during its 34-day season.


Principal Chief George Tiger would not comment on how much the tribe paid annually to the fund other than the Muscogee (Creek) Nation paid more into it than the other two and that the overall savings to the tribe would make up for the seven-figure yearly price tag.

“We see it as a savings,” he said. “Whatever money we were paying out to them before will be coming back into our coffers.”

Over the last seven years, Fair Meadows has lost at least $695,000 each year thanks in part to dwindling attendance. Under the agreement, the fairgrounds board has the option to repurpose the racetrack if it chooses.

“Horse racing’s no longer a spectator sport,” Fair Meadows race director Ron Shotts. “It’s a participant sport. We’re averaging maybe 400 people per day at the track. The facts were what they were.”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Although the tribe will not be putting in a casino at 15th and Yale, revenue from its gaming facilities made the acquisition possible. The tribe’s two other multi-million dollar real estate purchases this year – the Riverwalk Crossing shopping center in Jenks, Okla., and the Okmulgee Country Club – were paid for through the capitol improvements portion of the tribe’s budget.

“Gaming dollars paid for this (the naming rights),” Tiger said. “Money that was already going to Fair Meadows is paying for this.”


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: Conan71 on December 12, 2012, 05:51:52 pm
Ruf,

Great research.  The only exception I've got with what you've said is the grandstand is dilapidated.  The stands are made from steel and the seating was all aluminum.  Granted, it's been a few years since I was up in the stands, but so long as you keep a coating over the steel structure, those stands should be there and in pretty good shape 100 years from now.


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: TulsaRufnex on December 12, 2012, 06:21:14 pm
Ruf,

Great research.  The only exception I've got with what you've said is the grandstand is dilapidated.  The stands are made from steel and the seating was all aluminum.  Granted, it's been a few years since I was up in the stands, but so long as you keep a coating over the steel structure, those stands should be there and in pretty good shape 100 years from now.

You're probably right, since I've only seen them at a distance and assume the discolor I see is rust, but that could be a relatively easy fix.
There's just such a HUGE night-and-day difference between what I see driving by the horsetrack or around the parking lot compared to Remington Park in OKC...

(http://s3-media1.ak.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/ENa3Zvpke6uTJ5BDGy51VQ/l.jpg)(http://slingogaming.com/images/casino/upload/fullsize/Remington-Park--location.jpg)(http://www.stallionesearch.com/newsfiles/photos/remington_park_3.jpg)
 
I wish the county or the guys with the horses would get into the youth soccer business... the guy trying to get pro soccer in Indy right now had all sorts of ideas for converting the asphalt parking area inside the horsetrack into tourney ready soccer fields while using the existing ballpark for a pro team-- of course, that phone conversation happened three years ago... someday... someday...  :D

something brewing with the old ball park?

If there was, it'd have to be put on hold, after the Creeks' basically got "right of first refusal."

That said, Expo Square would be willing to rent out to anybody with interest... on month-to-month basis, to multiple lessees, and/or for a single event.

The stadium looks okay, field hasn't been maintained in around a year... the outfield has some dead grass, some weeds growing in the infield, stall dividers missing in the bathroom... wouldn't take much to restore/maintain... currently easier to let it sit, than pay to destroy it... and there's no outcry to knock it down, so...

RBI's lease was done in 2011 and not renewed... from 2 years ago... http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20101222_16_A5_CUTLIN463825&allcom=1

Quote
Under terms of the lease, RBI will pay $5,000 rent each month and be responsible for all maintenance. The contract allows RBI to hold nonbaseball events with the permission of Expo Square.

RBI Inc. is not affiliated with Major League Baseball's program of the same name, Strickland said.

Also at Tuesday's meeting:

   The authority approved without comment a three-year contract for Fair Meadows General Manager Ron Shotts.

At Shotts' request, the contract reduces his $10,000 per month salary by half by the third year.

Shotts said previously that he believed that the cut was "the right thing" because of the track's declining revenue.


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: TulsaRufnex on December 12, 2012, 06:52:02 pm
Ruf,

Great research.  The only exception I've got with what you've said is the grandstand is dilapidated.  The stands are made from steel and the seating was all aluminum.

BTW, here's the article I got the "dilapidated" idea from.... I stumbled across it about a year ago....

Horsemen complain that Fair Meadows declining
By Kevin Canfield, Tulsa World
Posted 06/19/2011 05:02:03 PM
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/horses/2011-06-19-3859235189_x.htm

Quote
"Nobody wants to run there," Teel said. "Instead of going to Fair Meadows, I have to find somewhere else to go, so I send horses to Lone Star Park in Dallas."

Lowry, Teel and others say Fair Meadows' track remains in good condition but that the rest of the facility has been allowed to deteriorate.

They point to a reduction in the number of concession stands, limited hours for the eateries that are open, the removal of picnic tables and misters in the paddock area, broken fans in the test barns and TV monitors with unclear pictures.

Horse owner Jim Skinner said parking is a problem because fairgrounds officials accommodate other events first, leaving parking spaces near the track off-limits to the horsemen and entrances and exits blocked.


"They don't seem to care anything about the horsemen," Skinner said. "They're like second-class citizens."

Skinner thinks he knows why: a 15-year agreement that Fair Meadows signed with three Tulsa-area tribes in 2005.

The deal calls for the racetrack to receive a minimum of $2 million a year from the tribes in lieu of installing gambling machines. As part of the agreement, Fair Meadows is required to run at least 400 live races a year.

"My gut feeling is they don't really care; they're going to get the money anyway," Skinner said.

Ron Shotts, Fair Meadows' director of racing, rejects Skinner's assertion.

He said that while some of the horsemen's complaints, such as the disruption in parking, are legitimate, others are not, or have since been rectified.

The bottom line, Shotts said, is that the live meet's bottom line is bad, and with that comes constraints on what he can spend. Last year the meet lost $731,188.

Still, more than $100,000 has been spent on maintenance and improvements to the racetrack since last year's meet ended, Shotts said.

In addition, the racetrack continues to try to boost wagering on its live races by increasing the number of locations the meet is broadcast around the country.

"I wish I had all the money in the world to go in and clean up the grandstand," he said. "I would like to tear the whole thing down; it's an obsolete facility.

"But we could build a grandstand and there is no way it would ever make economic sense because the public just doesn't come to horse races."

Shotts said he's sympathetic - to a point - with the horsemen's assertion that, without them, the racetrack would not be getting $2 million a year from the local tribes.


"But the only reason we have an opportunity to run 400 races is because we have a fairgrounds and a fair meet," Shotts said, referring to the state law under which Expo Square is permitted to hold races.

He said it's important to remember that Fair Meadows is not Will Rogers Downs in Claremore or Remington Park in Oklahoma City - racetracks first and foremost. The racetrack, completed in 1989, is part of a larger operation, Expo Square, and thus must make its budget decisions within that context.

"It's not the only thing we do here," he said. "At Remington Park and Will Rogers Downs, that's all they do. If it wasn't for the casino at Will Rogers and the casino at Remington Park, they wouldn't be open either."


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: TulsaRufnex on December 26, 2012, 12:29:01 am
I have a list somewhere of how much the county got from everybody, including the Drillers, the health dept, Big Splash, and Fair Meadows... Fair Meadows payments dwarfed all others...
At that time, nothing was printed by the Tulsa World pointing out that alot of those payments were being subsidized by $$$ from the Creeks and other tribes...

Ummm, found it... from 2009...

Online survey asks public to weigh in on site's future
By KEVIN CANFIELD World Staff Writer
Published: 9/12/2009

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=16&articleid=20090912_16_A1_Drille175649
Quote
Expo Square tenants
The Tulsa Drillers were one of six organizations that call Expo Square their full-time home.

Here is a list of those tenants and the terms of their agreements with Expo Square.

Tulsa Drillers: The baseball team paid Expo Square $18,000 a year and a percentage of concessions.

In 2008, that amounted to $84,834.

Tulsa County Health Center: The center pays Expo Square for the gas and electricity it uses to operate the building.

Tulsa Flea Market: The flea market pays the fairgrounds 60 percent of gross revenue from booth sales. It also pays $210 per event day if the fairgrounds staff provides clean-up. Last year, the flea market paid the fairgrounds $93,843.

Big Splash Water Park: The water park pays the fairgrounds a percentage of gross admission revenue based on a sliding scale ranging from 10 percent to 30 percent.

The park’s minimum annual percentage rental fee is $125,000. Last year, the park paid the fairgrounds $130,736.

Fair Meadows Simulcast Facility: For many years, the Tulsa County Public Facilities Authority, which oversees operation of the fairgrounds, did not own the building.

That changed last year, leaving the authority to receive all of the money the racetrack raises from its live racing, its simulcast wagering and its sports grill. Last year, that amounted to $1.7 million.


Inn at Expo Square: The hotel pays rent equal to the greater of $42,000 or 5 percent of gross room revenue; and 5 percent of gross room revenue. Last year, that amounted to $100,726.

Source: Expo Square


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: AquaMan on December 26, 2012, 08:52:57 am
Flea Market needs to renegotiate. They paid more than the Drillers?


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: stageidea on December 26, 2012, 06:15:12 pm
Personally, I would like to see track invested in and live racing offered more regularly.  I doubt this will ever happen due to the agreements they have with the tribes. 

They seem to invest next to zero into the track and so it is no surprise that it doesn't make any money. I went once the year and it truly was a depressing event.   So if they are not going to invest in the facility I see no reason to keep racing.  I found memories of going there when it first opened and it was a really nice facility.  It depresses me they have let it get so bad. 


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: TulsaRufnex on March 19, 2013, 02:03:06 pm
something brewing with the old ball park?

...new sod is being put in this week... still a couple of weeks from official "media day"...   ;D


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: Ibanez on March 19, 2013, 02:23:55 pm
...new sod is being put in this week... still a couple of weeks from official "media day"...   ;D

Tulsa is hosting the 2013 lawn mowing championships?


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: Townsend on March 19, 2013, 02:27:59 pm
Tulsa is hosting the 2013 lawn mowing championships?

Sadly, not in Oklahoma.

http://www.letsmow.com/chapters-clubs/map-schedule/ (http://www.letsmow.com/chapters-clubs/map-schedule/)

(https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRCgy6BIuhx-i4_lUfISfnSq0_dcnkdBx1c26I6r1SprFHl0RQ8Bw)


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: Ibanez on March 19, 2013, 02:37:25 pm
Sadly, not in Oklahoma.

http://www.letsmow.com/chapters-clubs/map-schedule/ (http://www.letsmow.com/chapters-clubs/map-schedule/)

(https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRCgy6BIuhx-i4_lUfISfnSq0_dcnkdBx1c26I6r1SprFHl0RQ8Bw)

Damn. I could use some high speed lawn mowing action after a nice dinner of sketti and butter!!


YOU PAY FOR THE WHOLE SEAT BUT YOU ONLY NEED THE EDGE!!!!


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: TulsaRufnex on March 21, 2013, 10:18:09 am
Tulsa is hosting the 2013 lawn mowing championships?

The field is not yet "lawn mowing" material... but if you like watching grass grow...

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8382/8578062932_97d9dc1f1a_m.jpg)



Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: zstyles on March 22, 2013, 08:21:36 am
Whatever happened to the neon lights that cost us a few hundred thousand dollars on the wires above the expo center..anyone know? I would think that the company who put them in would have offered a warranty or something....if I remember right they just stopped working?


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: rdj on March 22, 2013, 08:27:46 am
I believe the company went bankrupt.


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: zstyles on March 22, 2013, 08:41:57 am
I believe the company went bankrupt.

Get what you pay for I suppose....


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: TheArtist on March 22, 2013, 01:26:02 pm
Whatever happened to the neon lights that cost us a few hundred thousand dollars on the wires above the expo center..anyone know? I would think that the company who put them in would have offered a warranty or something....if I remember right they just stopped working?

They were fiber optic. 

I remember as a kid having one of those bushy, plastic, fiber optic thingeys that changed colors. In the instructions it noted that you could "nick or scratch" the fiber with a knife and that would allow light to come out of those spots for added effect. 

Well, after a good ol Oklahoma hail storm I saw exactly the same effect on the fiber optic cables on the expo center. Apparently someone didn't think things through very well. 


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: zstyles on March 22, 2013, 01:36:16 pm
They were fiber optic. 

I remember as a kid having one of those bushy, plastic, fiber optic thingeys that changed colors. In the instructions it noted that you could "nick or scratch" the fiber with a knife and that would allow light to come out of those spots for added effect. 

Well, after a good ol Oklahoma hail storm I saw exactly the same effect on the fiber optic cables on the expo center. Apparently someone didn't think things through very well. 

Doh!


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: TulsaRufnex on April 02, 2013, 10:36:39 pm
Yay... media day!

Take a late lunch on Thursday and meet us in the McNellies Side Bar at 1:30pm for the official announcement!   ;D


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: carltonplace on April 03, 2013, 09:36:46 am
Yay... media day!

Take a late lunch on Thursday and meet us in the McNellies Side Bar at 1:30pm for the official announcement!   ;D

This have anything to do with Uncle Sonny?


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: TulsaRufnex on April 03, 2013, 10:18:11 am
Yuup.  


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: TulsaRufnex on April 22, 2013, 09:48:45 am
New soccer team could boost Expo Square, stadium
By KEVIN CANFIELD World Staff Writer on Apr 22, 2013

http://www.tulsaworld.com/article.aspx/New_soccer_team_could_boost_Expo_Square_stadium/20130422_16_A1_CUTLIN555064

Quote
"It's a place where we can put a first-year franchise and people can say they are really trying to do something great in Tulsa and they are not content playing out of a high school venue," said Dalesandro, whose team opens its home season May 18 against the Liverpool Warriors of Dallas.

Drillers Stadium is one of three properties on the 240-acre fairgrounds whose fates remain unclear, Dalesondro's enthusiasm for the ballpark notwithstading.

Mark Andrus, CEO and executive director of Expo Square, said he has no long-term plans for the stadium, the former Tulsa County Health Department building to the north, or for Fair Meadows Racetrack.

In November, the Tulsa County Public Facilities Authority, which operates the fairgrounds, approved a $2 million-a-year naming-rights agreement with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation that effectively put an end to live horse racing at the fairgrounds.

The agreement was later rescinded and live horse racing will be back again this summer.

But Andrus said he cannot make any promises beyond that.

"We continue to look at all options that are best for Expo Square," he said.

Andrus said he continues to speak with the Creek Nation about a possible naming-rights agreement.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Expo Square had 110 full-time employees in 2008. It now has 53.

The fairgrounds in late 2011 began implementing new energy efficient lights in the Expo Center and has since put them in other buildings.

The program has saved Expo Square hundreds of thousands of dollars, Andrus said.


Andrus believes the changes, while painful, have been best for Expo Square and its customers.

"I am very confident in saying that our more than 400 customers each year would say we are more efficient, more responsible, friendlier, cleaner and safer than we have ever been," he said.

Dalesandro, the Tulsa Athletics co-owner, has certainly not given up on the place. He said that he is already thinking about what enhancements he can make to Drillers Stadium for next year's soccer season.

"The bones of this place are still good, it just needs a little love," Dalesandro said. "I think when people come in and they see the venue for the first time and how nice it looks, I think it is going to be really, really nice."

Expo Square profit and loss 2008-2013*
Year   Total Revenue   Net Income/Loss
2008   $22.3 million   ($2.7 million)
2009   $20.5 million   $100,710
2010   $21.3 million   $917,146
2011   $21.4 million   $124,493
2012   $21.3 million   $593,417


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: sgrizzle on April 22, 2013, 12:40:44 pm
Turn the horsetrack into a soccer stadium, with a few smaller fields to the south where off-track betting is currently. Replace Driller's stadium and the health department building with a 200+ room hotel/convention center (for smaller events)

Why big splash is still there, and why that convenience-store-sized hotel was allowed to be built, I have no idea.


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: patric on April 22, 2013, 02:07:01 pm
Why big splash is still there, and why that convenience-store-sized hotel was allowed to be built, I have no idea.

10 Questions for Randi Miller...


Title: Re: WTH Is Going On At Expo Square?
Post by: RecycleMichael on April 22, 2013, 03:24:27 pm
10 Questions for Randi Miller...

I saw Randi Miller downtown last Friday.