Lightning strikes new Coliseum at the OKC Fairgrounds
5/29/2025
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On Sunday night, lightning struck an electrical transformer that serves the MAPS 4 Coliseum at the OKC Fairgrounds. The building is still under construction.
The electrical transformer is projected to be repaired by the building’s ribbon cutting on June 11. The new coliseum was expected to host portions of the Redbud Spectacular before the official ribbon cutting, but those classes are being relocated to other show venues at the OKC Fairgrounds.
Relocating events back to the Jim Norick Arena is not an option because the building has been decommissioned in preparation for demolition. The last event took place in the building on May 3.
“We are fortunate the surge protection functioned and protected the inside of the building,” MAPS Program Manager David Todd said. “Our contractor is working to fix the damage.”
The MAPS 4 Coliseum will feature various seating configurations for up to more than 7,000 people, a lounge, three (3) suites, several upscale concession areas, an A/V suite and a sophisticated catwalk system. The $126-million project is funded through MAPS 3, MAPS 4, hotel tax revenue and other funding sources.
Learn more about the MAPS 3 and 4 Fairgrounds coliseum at okc.gov/government/maps-4/fairgrounds-coliseum.
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About MAPS 4
MAPS 4 is a debt-free public improvement program funded by a temporary penny sales tax that will raise a projected $1.07 billion over eight years. Oklahoma City voters approved the sales tax to fund MAPS 4 in a special election on Dec. 10, 2019, moving forward with a unique and ambitious plan to transform our community. The temporary penny sales tax funding MAPS 4 began April 1, 2020, and ends in 2028. More than 70 percent of MAPS 4 funding is dedicated to neighborhood and human needs. The rest is for quality of life and job-creating initiatives. The MAPS 4 Citizens Advisory Board and its six subcommittees will guide MAPS 4 planning and implementation, making recommendations to the City Council. The Council has final authority on MAPS 4. The MAPS Investment and Operating Trust developed a strategic investment plan to support long-term sustainable funding for MAPS 4 projects' operational expenses and maintenance. Visit okc.gov/maps4 for more.
About MAPS 3
MAPS 3 is a $777 million, voter-approved capital improvement program to improve the quality of life in Oklahoma City. It is funded by a temporary 1-cent sales tax that began in April 2010 and ended in December 2017. MAPS 3 funds eight projects: Downtown Convention Center, Downtown Public Park, Modern Streetcar/Transit, Oklahoma River Improvements, Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Improvements, Senior Health and Wellness Centers, Trails and Sidewalks.
MAPS 3 was succeeded by the temporary sales tax portion of the Better Streets, Safer City program, which ended in 2020. Get details at okc.gov/BetterSafer.
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Media Contact: Kristy Yager, (405) 297-2550, kristy.yager@okc.gov
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