The final days of an Oklahoma landmark have arrived. The Jim Norick Arena, affectionately called “The Big House” will be taken down starting in May after fifty years of service at the OKC Fairgrounds. The National Finals Rodeo, Cattle and Horse Shows, High School sports, Disney on Ice at the State Fair- all memory making parts of the history of the arena that was, when built, was the largest indoor facility in Oklahoma City until the construction of the Myriad Convention Center.
Senior Farm and Ranch broadcaster for the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Ron Hays, had the chance to tour the new Coliseum that will replace the Jim Norick this spring during Cattlemen’s Congress. The OG&E Coliseum stands right up against the old arena and is expected to start hosting things in June of this year. The last functions in the Jim Norick will be done by May first- with the work to demolish the building to start immediately. A multipurpose Connector building will take the spot where the Norick now stands- to provide access from the barns into the new Coliseum.
Inside the new coliseum- the floor for livestock and horse shows will be longer and wider than the Norick- with retractable seating that will help bring total seating in the new arena to roughly the same as the current Norick arena
Permanent seats are starting to arrive and their installation will be starting shortly. Permanent seating will total around 4,400. Stairs, escalators and elevators will take spectators to the second level where all seats will be accessed.
Three suites are a part of the current design on the southeast corner of the Coliseum- multiple concession areas will be available for those attending events.
For many in rural Oklahoma- the small school high school basketball Championships this spring will be the final time to experience an event in the Norick Arena- and of course, the 2025 Oklahoma Youth Expo will be a final moment for thousands of 4-H and FFA members that have been showing in the Big House for years- and their parents and even grand parents before them. OYE officials have indicated some special recognition will be planned for the OYE in March as the state gets ready to say goodbye to the Big House.
The 2026 renewals of Cattlemen’s Congress and the Oklahoma Youth Expo will be learning how to best utilize the new Coliseum in the new year.
