The Creek Nation will pay the county nearly $1.5M for naming rights. Additionaly live horse racing will be discontinued at Fair Meadows
http://www.kwgs.org/term/local-regional (http://www.kwgs.org/term/local-regional)
By John Durkee
After January, it will no longer be the Quik-Trip Center on the Fair Grounds.
The Creek Nation has entered into a long term agreement with the Fair Board to the center's naming rights.
The tribe will pay nearly $1.5 million a year through 2019 to put its name on the center next to the Golden Driller.
The agreement also calls for an end to live horse racing at Fair Meadows.
Quote from: carltonplace on November 02, 2012, 08:10:28 AM
The Creek Nation will pay the county nearly $1.5M for naming rights. Additionaly live horse racing will be discontinued at Fair Meadows
The story doesnt say what it will be called. I never really quit calling it Expo Square for that matter, and I guess that wont change.
Think the tribe will apply for tax-exempt status?
Why no more horse racing?
So what will happen with the track and Fair Meadows? Anyone know?
An empty baseball stadium and a non-working horse track taking up a mile of Yale is sort of sad.
The prison style fencing isn't helping much either. Does the fair and Big Splash need more parking?
Maybe the new Whataburger?
Quote from: TylerBGoode on November 02, 2012, 09:23:30 AM
Why no more horse racing?
It's been dead last few times I was there. They'd removed 2/3 of the stands to make it look like there was more of a crowd.
It will be known as Muscogee (Creek) Nation Center at Expo Square.
I would expect the area that is currently occupied by the baseball park and the race track to become outdoor entertainment/park space along with a large hotel. If the Fair Board elects to not renew Big Splash's lease then I would expect a full out development with retail, lodging and entertainment venues.
Those two corners are two of the last prime corners in midtown. Demographics for that area have improved greatly in the last ten years. Expect multiple commercial real estate firms to take a run at developing that half mile stretch.
Quote from: rdj on November 02, 2012, 10:09:02 AM
If the Fair Board elects to not renew Big Splash's lease
Any idea of the chances there?
Quote from: Townsend on November 02, 2012, 10:13:47 AM
Any idea of the chances there?
Is Randi Miller still on the board?
;)
Quote from: rdj on November 02, 2012, 10:09:02 AM
It will be known as Muscogee (Creek) Nation Center at Expo Square.
I would expect the area that is currently occupied by the baseball park and the race track to become outdoor entertainment/park space along with a large hotel. If the Fair Board elects to not renew Big Splash's lease then I would expect a full out development with retail, lodging and entertainment venues.
Those two corners are two of the last prime corners in midtown. Demographics for that area have improved greatly in the last ten years. Expect multiple commercial real estate firms to take a run at developing that half mile stretch.
Ok, someone has to ask... Midtown Casino?
No. Two reasons: It's not Indian Country, so a casino would violate state law, and Smalligo says the county commission would have to approve it that ain't gonna happen.
Quote from: patric on November 02, 2012, 10:47:16 AM
Ok, someone has to ask... Midtown Casino?
In addition to reasons identified above, the tribe would have to actually own the land and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation has covenants with its lenders for River Spirit that prohibits it from constructing a casino within a certain number of miles of River Spirit (can't remember the exact distance, but it would include all of Tulsa).
Quote from: Townsend on November 02, 2012, 09:25:26 AM
It's been dead last few times I was there. They'd removed 2/3 of the stands to make it look like there was more of a crowd.
I have fond memories of races at Fair Meadows. I haven't been in years though, so I guess I can't complain too much.
Quote from: DTowner on November 02, 2012, 11:12:22 AM
In addition to reasons identified above, the tribe would have to actually own the land and the Muscogee (Creek) Nation has covenants with its lenders for River Spirit that prohibits it from constructing a casino within a certain number of miles of River Spirit (can't remember the exact distance, but it would include all of Tulsa).
They could pay off that loan at any time and be free from that.
Fair Meadows was a decrepit embarrassment. A parking lot in the infield. Half-demolished stands. Barely operational equipment that affected wagering.
Disappointing that OKC has a nice horse track, while we have nothing. Will Rogers Downs is a bit better, but it's still this kind of weird, forgotten place out the back, unmarked door of a casino.
I've heard Remington Park in OKC is nice. Too bad we have nothing of the sort in this part of the state.
I want to open a race track in Eufaula and call it Eufaula Downs.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on November 02, 2012, 01:48:32 PM
I want to open a race track in Eufaula and call it Eufaula Downs.
(http://i.imgur.com/mLn4Q.jpg)
Lawmaker wants Fair Meadows closure probedhttp://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20121120_16_A9_CUTLIN585645 (http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20121120_16_A9_CUTLIN585645)
QuoteState Rep. Don Armes asked Gov. Mary Fallin and Attorney General Scott Pruitt on Monday to investigate the proceedings surrounding the closing of Fair Meadows racetrack.
"This is about greed and the willful and blatant disregard of the rule of law and should not be allowed to stand," Armes, R-Faxon, said in a news release.
The fair board voted unanimously - and without comment - earlier this month to end live racing at the horse track as part of a lucrative naming rights agreement with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
The agreement not only ends live racing at Fair Meadows but takes away millions of dollars in purse money that had been used to supplement purses at racetracks across the state.
The fair board - formally known as the Tulsa County Public Facilities Authority - includes the three Tulsa County commissioners and two appointees.
County Commissioner and fair board Chairman Fred Perry said Monday evening that he didn't receive the news release until after 7 p.m. and wasn't prepared to comment.
The county commissioners have said previously that they didn't know that the decision to end live racing at Fair Meadows would take purse money from other Oklahoma racetracks.
Without a license to hold live races, Fair Meadows will not receive the $2 million a year it was getting as part of a 2005 agreement with the Creek, Osage and Cherokee tribes. The funds were paid in lieu of installing gaming machines at the racetrack.
The same agreement obligated the tribes to pay into a fund that went to Oklahoma's thoroughbred and quarter horse associations to supplement purses statewide.
That part of the agreement is also nullified as part of Expo Square's agreement with the Creek Nation.
The purse fund averaged $6.8 million a year between 2007 and 2011.
In his news release, Armes states that media reports have revealed that fair board and Expo Square officials "routinely used a secretive and deceitful process to shield their true agenda, thus hiding the devastating economic consequences of their actions from the public until it was too late."
Armes said he wants the Attorney General's Office to determine whether any laws were broken as well as the legal implications of what he describes as the "extra-constitutional action by the fair board."
Armes is also asking Fallin to direct the Department of Commerce to recommend quickly how the Legislature can reverse or limit the economic consequences of the fair board's action.
Horsemen around the state say they were never consulted before the fair board made its decision and that the loss of the purse money will devastate an already struggling industry.
Tino Rieger, executive director of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, said previously that the commission was never notified of the deal.
The state Legislature's official website lists Armes' profession as auctioneer, broadcaster, farmer and rancher. Faxon is in Comanche County.
Contacted late Monday, Fallin spokesman Alex Weintz said the governor would comment on the issue later.
Pruitt's office did not respond to a call from the Tulsa World seeking comment.
Read more from this Tulsa World article at http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20121120_16_A9_CUTLIN585645
Racetrack closure to be voted on again, says Perry
http://tulsabusiness.com/business_news/racetrack-closure-to-be-voted-on-again-says-perry/article_8ac4cc2e-3a65-11e2-8d0c-001a4bcf6878.html#.ULfbMtlN4I8.facebook
Quote from: Townsend on November 30, 2012, 03:07:26 PM
Racetrack closure to be voted on again, says Perry
http://tulsabusiness.com/business_news/racetrack-closure-to-be-voted-on-again-says-perry/article_8ac4cc2e-3a65-11e2-8d0c-001a4bcf6878.html#.ULfbMtlN4I8.facebook
While the probe is being pushed by a lawmaker with a personal financial interest in the game, it probably needs to go ahead regardless of what the Fair Board does to retreat from the spotlight.
TW FB post:
QuoteMuscogee (Creek) Nation Principal Chief George Tiger said Tuesday that the tribe does not intend to continue paying into the state horsemen's purse fund now that Fair Meadows Racetrack has ceased live horse racing.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on November 02, 2012, 01:48:32 PM
I want to open a race track in Eufaula and call it Eufaula Downs.
Now that's funny right thur. Kinda like saying Oologah Dam real fast.
Tulsa Fair Board About Face: Live Horse Racing Continues In 2013http://www.newson6.com/story/20308532/fair-board-about (http://www.newson6.com/story/20308532/fair-board-about)
QuoteTULSA, Oklahoma - The Tulsa County Public Facilities Authority - commonly called the Fair Board - is revisiting the idea of live horse racing at the fairgrounds.
Although authority members voted December 6 to end horse racing as part of a new agreement with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, they now say the 2013 race meet will take place.
The reason? Fair Meadows Race Director Ron Shotts signed agreements in October 2012 with the Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred Associations to conduct the race meet in 2013. A race meet consists of 400 horses races over a 34-year period.
Shotts did so "without the knowledge or consent of the TCPFA Board or legal counsel," a news release states.
"I apologize to all parties for any inconvenience and take full responsibility for my actions," Shotts said in the release.
"The agreements, which I have executed for many years, were commonplace for receiving the annual racing licenses."
Commissioner Fred Perry, who chairs the fair board, requested a special meeting to address the issue. It will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, December 12, 2012. The authority will consider the continuation of live racing for 2013 and a new naming rights agreement with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation) which does not include the end of live horse racing.
The release includes an apology to the Creek Nation from Fair Board Chair Fred Perry.