Work is in progress to demolish Prairie Surf Studios to make room for the new downtown Oklahoma arena that will be the future home of the Thunder. Demolition is expected to take until the end of September. Oklahoma City officials said there could be some challenges like limited sidewalk and street access as well as short durations of streetcar service interruptions. In December 2023, Oklahoma City voters approved a penny sales tax to build the new, publicly owned downtown arena. With the approval came an agreement with Thunder officials to keep the franchise in Oklahoma City for 25 years after the new arena opened. Days after the vote, Prairie Surf Studios officials announced that their lease in the building across the street from the Paycom Center was not renewed. The site where Prairie Surf Studios’ building stands was later selected as the location for the new downtown Oklahoma City arena. Video Below: Oklahoma City awards contract to demolish Prairie Surf Studios for new Thunder arena. Click here to learn more. In late March 2025, Oklahoma City officials awarded an $11 million contract to Midwest Wrecking to demolish Prairie Surf Studios, which was formerly known as the Cox Convention Center. “This building has seen a lot of events. It’s got a great history with Oklahoma City,” said David Todd, MAPS program manager for the city of OKC. “City council decided this is the best site for this. We put together plans, we’ve bid those plans and today city council approved the contract to do the demolition.” The demolition presents logistical challenges due to the building’s size and concrete structure. “It’s four square blocks of building, all covered in concrete. It’s got an arena that’s in there,” Todd said. Video Below: New tariffs on steel and aluminum to impact OKC arena construction costs. Click here to learn more. Todd told KOCO 5 that he is confident the project will be completed with minimal disruption to other businesses and on time. Thunder fans walking downtown for playoffs might see a hole in the ground next to Paycom Center, but the city says it’s an exciting first step for the new arena. The city says construction on the arena will start early 2026 and be wrapped up by 2028. Top Headlines TIMELINE: Severe storms with low tornado risk possible Wednesday in Oklahoma Body found Tuesday in Boomer Lake identified as OSU agriculture department employee 7-year-old boy joins Mensa, aspires to become an astronaut Dibble police officer arrested for blackmail, stalking, assault Cleveland County detention chief resigns same day inmate assaults jailer
OKLAHOMA CITY —
Work is in progress to demolish Prairie Surf Studios to make room for the new downtown Oklahoma arena that will be the future home of the Thunder.
Demolition is expected to take until the end of September. Oklahoma City officials said there could be some challenges like limited sidewalk and street access as well as short durations of streetcar service interruptions.
In December 2023, Oklahoma City voters approved a penny sales tax to build the new, publicly owned downtown arena. With the approval came an agreement with Thunder officials to keep the franchise in Oklahoma City for 25 years after the new arena opened.
Days after the vote, Prairie Surf Studios officials announced that their lease in the building across the street from the Paycom Center was not renewed. The site where Prairie Surf Studios’ building stands was later selected as the location for the new downtown Oklahoma City arena.
Video Below: Oklahoma City awards contract to demolish Prairie Surf Studios for new Thunder arena. Click here to learn more.
In late March 2025, Oklahoma City officials awarded an $11 million contract to Midwest Wrecking to demolish Prairie Surf Studios, which was formerly known as the Cox Convention Center.
“This building has seen a lot of events. It’s got a great history with Oklahoma City,” said David Todd, MAPS program manager for the city of OKC. “City council decided this is the best site for this. We put together plans, we’ve bid those plans and today city council approved the contract to do the demolition.”
The demolition presents logistical challenges due to the building’s size and concrete structure.
“It’s four square blocks of building, all covered in concrete. It’s got an arena that’s in there,” Todd said.
Video Below: New tariffs on steel and aluminum to impact OKC arena construction costs. Click here to learn more.
Todd told KOCO 5 that he is confident the project will be completed with minimal disruption to other businesses and on time.
Thunder fans walking downtown for playoffs might see a hole in the ground next to Paycom Center, but the city says it’s an exciting first step for the new arena. The city says construction on the arena will start early 2026 and be wrapped up by 2028.
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