And what of the Old Ball Park?

[AMP]

During the Bell - Miller debate on the radio the question came up of what will become of the old Ballpark at the Expo. I believe the Ballclub built the park and owns all the infastructure standing there, but I could be wrong.

When asked about the future of the Ballpark,  Randi Miller answered, "we don't know yet"  Later she was asked if there is a Fairgrounds Master Plan to which she answered "yes" and I believe she replied they meet every Tuesday to discuss the "Master Plan."  

If the "Master Plan" does exist, then is the Ballpark and the future of Big Splash included in it.  One would think with all the talk about the Drillers moving the Ballpark would be a hot topic on the "Master Plan."   Was the parking lot, where Bells once sat, part of the 'Master Plan" prior to Bells being evicted from the Expo?

And where does one find a copy of this every changing "Master Plan?"

[TheArtist]

One would suppose that the Drillers leaving wasnt part of any "Master Plan" and thus hard to plan for. But since they are leaving it will open up opportunities that I am sure are currently being discussed. But, the Drillers aint moved yet. Hope they do move downtown, but I'll believe it when I see it lol.

As for the stands, the Drillers will probably sell them since it appears they can be taken apart and moved.

[mrB]

I think Tuesdays are her day off!

[AMP]

Found the archive of the debate.

http://podcast.1170kfaq.com/DesktopModules/Orizonti_NukeNews/getLink.aspx?pid=48&tid=1852&newsid=36688


"We have a comprehensive plan.  That every Tuesday meeting and construction meeting it is open to the public, they can go at 8:30 on Tuesdays at the Fairgrounds.  There is a comprehensive plan. There is Phase 1, 2, 3 and 4.... So phase 5 is now what we have to look at. I am actually the chair of that."

[Renaissance]

Tulsa County owns the current stadium.

[cannon_fodder]

If you meet every Tuesday to go over the Master Plan, certainly they should have revised it to consider the Driller's leaving sometime in the last 6 months.  That's 24 meetings to discuss it.

They also, apperently, don't talk revenue in regards to the Master plan.  Nor do they try to figure out what "not just a parking lot" really refers to.

Maybe "master plan" is code for mohito's in the summer, hot toddies in the winter, and martini's in betweeni.  Clearly they aren't using the time for any plan.  Let alone a "master" plan.  I'd think a clear lack of said plan is evidence enough of that.

[AMP]

Simple fix for the East side of the Fairgrounds is to return the Auto Racing that was also evicted by fiat in the 70s from the Fairgrounds.

 Where the new BOK Arena may draw a large crowd now and then, Tulsa Speedway constantly drew 12,000 + spectators every Friday and Saturday night for many years at the Fairgrounds location.  Believe the Auto Racing at the Fairgrounds  began around 1926 based on this photos in the Berle Ford collection.


Thousands of Tulsa area racefans loved watching races at this track at the Fairgrounds.  This is Tulsa Speedway #1, not the track that is there now, that is Tulsa Speedway #3.  

Most Fairgrounds still have Auto Racing outdoors at their Fairgrounds.  Kansas seems to have the most.  The Rooks County fair is still Free to those choosing to attend.   Most County Fairs were free, the Fairs were a celebration of the harvest time and a big festival celebrating all the hard work that folks in the area had accomplished all year.    



Notice turn one of the racetrack in the left hand portion of this photo.  Also the buildings sit where the current IPE Building is today.    

The intersection shown at the upper left hand corner is 21st and Yale.  So obviously the homes came after the Racetrack was long established.  


Few years later with homes in the area.


This photo was taken after the fire that destroyed the nice wooden grandstands at the racetrack.


View looking west.


Arial view, notice the big granstands.



Parking was not a big issue early on at the Fairgrounds. Folks simply parked on the south side of 21st street.  Too bad there was not a good comprehensive plan in action back then.  Homes should of never been built close to the Fairgrounds.  Major street fronts surrounding the fairgrounds should of been parking, retail, motels and service businesses for the events at the Fairgrounds.  That is basically how the State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Missouri is, and the Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City.

[TheArtist]

Your not gonna get car racing back in that part of town. Actually if Bells is to rebuild, it might be nice to have a racetrack near that as well. Would depend on the location as well though. However, isnt it  true that the horse racing track at the fairgrounds is actually on the small size? Perhaps they can expand that facility to "regular" size if thats the case. They seem to be leaning towards a "horse centered" fairgrounds anyway.

If there are phases 1-4 of the master plan, and they are working on 5, What phase are they currently in?  Would be curious to see what the over all thinking is, what they envision the fairgrounds as being like.

[carltonplace]

I've heard a rumor that TU is interested in the ball park

[AMP]

Emmett Hahn had a contract with the Fair Grounds for 7 or 8 events at the Grandstand track.  They held two USAC Champ Car Tulsa 100 lap races there.  

They also race cars, trucks and motorcycles/atvs indoors at two or three of the venues on the Fairgrounds.  Chili Bowl Midget Nationals, Tulsa Shootout, Tulsa Arenacross, Xtreme World Arenacross, Darryl Starbird Car Show Free Style and Monster Truck Races.  

I believe the Chili Bowl is one of the crown jewel events for income for the Fairgrounds, Fair, Starbird Car Show and the Chili Bowl.  Of which two are motor vehicle related, and the third the Tulsa State Fair, used to have races at the big track.   The Fair still has cars and powerport vehicles on display .

Not sure how many folks are riding, breeding and raising horses today, it is afterall 2008.

[cannon_fodder]

quote:Originally posted by carltonplace

I've heard a rumor that TU is interested in the ball park

I'm VERY in to Tulsa sports and have not heard this rumor.  Why wouldn't Tulsa want to play at the new stadium if they were to play off campus?  That is, if they had a baseball team.

/not that I know you are wrong, just haven't heard it.

[USRufnex]

Wow.  Hadn't heard Emmett Hahn's name in ages... I was about 6 or 7 when my grandpa would take me to the races at the fairgrounds... you could hear the racecars miles away on those nights...

I just don't think it'd work at the fairgrounds these days unless eveything was held indoors (like the Chili Bowl)...

I think a great place for a racetrack would be down on the west bank of the river at 23rd & Jackson... not great access, but racefans will drive anywhere... so I hear anyway... but would the folks at 21st and Riverside object because of the noise???.... wonder how loud that'd be?

[USRufnex]

Oh, and I also know of a league that would LOVE to have a team in Tulsa.... USL1 seems to be using the Huey Lewis & the News guide to expansion.... "Tulsa... Austin... Oklahoma City....."  []

http://theoffsiderules.blogspot.com/2008/05/usl-open-to-resusitating-tulsa-nasl.html



...you'd think the guy would at least have the decency to contact me.... go figure...

Regardless, USL1 wants to be in Tulsa, would like to make an announcement in the next month (I'm betting on OKC/Edmond playing at Wantland)... and would prefer to use the Roughnecks' name for a Tulsa team to go with the Tampa Bay Rowdies.... they're open to suggestions.... so somebody (anybody) important with lotsa money please contact them so I can finally get taken off their email list.... []

quote:Dear USL Franchise Prospect,

USL has been having a tremendous 2008 season!  So far 987 games have been played, 3,075 goals scored, and nearly 950,000 fans watching.  121 games to go until we begin preperations for the 2009 season.  

We hope to bring the USL excitement to your city or town in 2009 or 2010. If you are interested in applying for a USL expansion franchise with the USL First Division, USL Second Division, USL Premier Development League, or USL W-League, please visit:

http://www.uslfranchising.com  
username: umbro
password:  1924

I'm sure I'm breaking rules by giving the readers of TulsaNow forum the username and pw, but hey, what are they gonna do?  Sue me?!?

Login, look at the International Partnerships Presentation You'll see the basic sales pitch first, scroll to page 57 for operating expenses, then page 58 for Austin's new team--- then scroll to page 64, then to page 65 (Omaha) and then page 66 (Okla. City)...

It'd be nice if Tulsa at least had its own page-- hint, hint....

BTW, TU hasn't had a baseball team since old Oiler Park collapsed-- when I was a kid, I remember going to old Oiler Park to see TU versus OU... they added men's soccer in 1980? or 1981?..... another bit of Bob-Costas-esque trivia rattling around in my brain... the 1985 Tulsa Roughnecks played a short season even after the league they played in collapsed and cancelled their season..... they played an exhibition schedule of 7-games..... at Driller Park...

god I'm old.... but then again, so's Beth Rengal, Chris Lincoln, and Linda Soundtrak.... [:I]

[bmuscotty]

Turn it into an amphitheatre.

[AMP]

quote:Originally posted by USRufnex

Wow.  Hadn't heard Emmett Hahn's name in ages... I was about 6 or 7 when my grandpa would take me to the races at the fairgrounds... you could hear the racecars miles away on those nights...

Emmett Hahn and Lanny Edwards are co-promoters of the Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Midget Nationals and Emmett produces the Tulsa Shootout.  

Chili Bowl expects to sell 70,000 tickets for the annual race held in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the Fairgrounds.

TULSA WORLD ARTICLE - Will the Chili Bowl Move to the BOK Arena?
http://www.tulsaworld.com/sports/article.aspx?subjectID=203&articleID=20080718_203_B1_pncase724513