The idea of an off-campus arena for Univ. of Oklahoma athletics -- “funded by a partnership of city, university and private enterprises -- is back,” according to Berry Tramel of the OKLAHOMAN. Both the school and City of Norman have “sent out surveys, gauging interest and taking the temperature of fans and residents” over the proposed arena on the north side of town. Sources said that the “proposed funding mechanism … is not known or perhaps not even established.” OU men’s basketball coach Poter Moser has “expressed his desire to replace Lloyd Noble Center,” the team's current arena, which opened in 1975. Tramel noted the Lloyd Noble Center is “aging and is not opulent, but it remains quite functional.” The university’s adjacent basketball facilities are “first rate, and the Sooners would remain headquartered there, going five miles north only for games.” Tramel adds the plan “could be a way to get a new arena without a massive investment.” OU has already announced plans for a $175M football facility “to replace the Switzer Center, and other sports have needs, too.” Still this plan “might be OU’s best shot at replacing Lloyd Noble Center” (OKLAHOMAN, 12/19).
