As part of its overall planning efforts, Oklahoma State Fair, Inc. (OSF) retained Crossroads to provide a strategic assessment to help guide future decision-making regarding construction and operations of a new state-of-the-art Fairgrounds Coliseum at State Fair Park (SFP) to replace Jim Norick Arena.
OSF is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that operates the Oklahoma State Fair and acts as the agent of the Oklahoma City Public Property Authority to maintain, manage and operate the grounds of SFP. OSF does not receive operating funds from the City and operates and manages a financially self-sustaining enterprise.
SFP is a 435-acre, entertainment complex owned by the City of Oklahoma City. Known as the “Horse Show Capital of the World,” SFP hosts approximately 165 events annually including multiple national and international equine and livestock events.
The primary goals of constructing the new Fairgrounds Coliseum are to retain and grow the existing base of business as well as to attract new business in order to best meet the diverse needs of residents and draw out-of-town attendees that generate significant economic activity to the area.
Crossroads conducted a market assessment that quantified future booking opportunities associated with a new Fairgrounds Coliseum. Crossroads also estimated the economic and fiscal benefits associated with construction and operations of the new facility in terms of output, jobs and tax revenues. The OSF is seeking a portion of the funding from continuation of the MAPS one-cent sales tax, which will likely be decided by voters in late 2019.