OKLAHOMA CITY — It’s time to say goodbye to “The Big House” as the roof of the Jim Norick Arena was imploded on Tuesday.

The arena was built in 1965 and hosted rodeo events, concerts, sports and more for decades. Now, it’s the end of an era as the city makes way for the new OG&E Coliseum.

The implosion happened around 7:35 a.m. Tuesday, the detonators going off inside the arena. The roof then collapsed, leaving a plume of dust and smoke over the historic building.

“Part of the facility has already been demoed, and that’s an effort to allow the air to escape when the air is dropped. There will be air trying to get out of there,” OKC MAPS Program Manager David Todd said. “It’s really just removal of the roof tomorrow. The walls will still be standing, and they’ll be pushed over at a later time.”

The city aims to have the area cleared by the start of the Oklahoma State Fair on Sept. 11.

City leaders say Ron Norick, son of Jim and also a former mayor of Oklahoma City, was in attendance on Tuesday to lead the countdown to initiate the implosion.

“Over the last almost six decades, 60 years, there have been countless basketball, graduation, wrestling events,” Norick said. “Horse show events, concerts, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been here in this building over the last sixty years, but I’m sure it’s outrageous. Somewhere in the thousands.”

Norick also dismissed feelings of sadness over the demolition of the arena, named for his father, citing opportunities for growth and progress.

“I’ve had a lot of comments, questions, the last month or so, when everybody knew this building was going to be coming down, about ‘am I sad?’” Norick said. “No, I’m not sad, I’m excited, my dad would’ve been excited. He passed away ten years ago, we were already in the planning for the new building, he knew that this building’s life had its run. If he had been here today, he would’ve been very excited about this whole event.”

The blast, which lasted only a moment, resulted in the roof structure of the arena coming down.

The OG&E Coliseum

The OG&E Coliseum, a new multi-purpose venue at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds, is now open. It replaces the old Jim Norick Arena and is designed to host various events, including horse shows, rodeos, concerts, and sporting events.

The 216,164-square-foot facility, funded by MAPS 3, MAPS 4, hotel tax revenue, and private donations, is intended to be a significant economic driver for the city according to the Oklahoma Business Voice.

Key Details: Location: 301 Gordon Cooper Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73107.

Size: 216,164 square feet.

Seating: Between 7,500 and 8,500, depending on the event.

Funding: MAPS 3, MAPS 4, hotel tax revenue, and private donations.

Features: State-of-the-art facility with flexible design to accommodate diverse events, including equine and livestock shows, concerts, rodeos, conventions, sporting events, and Disney On Ice.

Purpose: To replace the aging Jim Norick Arena and maintain the economic impact of events held at the fairgrounds.

Economic Impact : Expected to generate an estimated $400 million in annual revenue for the city.

The OG&E Coliseum is part of a larger effort to revitalize the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds and enhance the city’s standing as a destination for events and tourism according to Visit Oklahoma City.

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