Oklahoma City's future is taking shape as the monumental Continental Coliseum project officially breaks ground, promising a state-of-the-art home for the Thunder.
The Continental Coliseum has officially broken ground.
In a ceremony live on site Thursday morning, a host of city officials, arena designers and partners and Oklahoma City Thunder front office staff were on hand for the landmark occasion. Those who spoke at the event included Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, Thunder Chairman Clay Bennett, Continental Resources Founder & Chairman Emeritus Harold Hamm, Thunder Executive Vice President & General Manager Sam Presti and lead design architect David Manica.
The state of the art arena is slated to open in 2028 and will officially be the home of the Thunder until at least 2053. Earlier this week, the team formally announced a 15 year naming rights partnership with Continental Resources for the new venue.
In case you missed it, we've collected some of the most noteworthy quotes from Thursday's historic groundbreaking event.
Thunder Chairman Clay Bennett: “I truly think about every single citizen who woke up on that Tuesday and planned to go vote, and went and voted yes to support this project. This is your day. This is your building. We are forever grateful for the support of our citizens.”
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt: "We are breaking ground on the city's fourth downtown arena. Every three decades for a century, the people of Oklahoma City have reinvested in this critical building, understanding that it is the centerpiece of our city's identity. The greatness of a city is express in its buildings. The Continental Coliseum will be a great building. With the dirt we turn today, we are beginning our city's greatest collective effort in its 137 year history.
The Continental Coliseum project appears to have the 5th-largest budget in the global history of arenas. It's worth noting that all of the top budgets are NBA arenas."
Architect David Manica: "The people of Oklahoma City are kind and generous and supportive. I've sensed that every day since I've been here."
Thunder General Manager Sam Presti: “Our fans are what have established that's it's possible to even have this even happening behind us. They are the people that have made it possible for people to say Oklahoma City & Oklahoma is home for an NBA basketball team. It doesn't happen without that kind of support, their belief. They have invested in us and that allows us to invest in this and them. I think it's really important to recognize it's truly a team effort."