On August 12, Oklahoma City formally bid farewell to one of its most storied gathering places. At exactly 7:30 a.m., the roof of the nearly 60-year-old Jim Norick Arena was lowered in a controlled implosion. Dubbed “The Big House” by locals, the arena has hosted unforgettable rodeos, concerts, Disney on Ice, high school graduation ceremonies, and championship wrestling matches since 1965.
Standing before the crowd of city leaders and media was former Mayor Ron Norick, son of the arena’s namesake. As the countdown end- ed and the blast echoed through the fairgrounds, he held back emotion. “I’ve been here thousands of times,” he said. “If my father were here today, he’d surely be excited.”
A small crowd of onlookers also gathered, some standing quietly with phones raised, others simply taking in the sight for the last time. For many, it was a final chance to see the arena that once loomed so large in their lives.
But this demolition isn’t the end of the story—it’s the start of a new chapter. While the roof has fallen, the walls remain intact and will be dismantled over the upcoming month to make way for a connector and expanded fairgrounds space.
The timing is intentional: all demolition is scheduled to be completed ahead of the State Fair’s September 11 opening, ensuring that fairgoers can continue making memories on familiar ground.
Replacement isn’t on ice, either. The sleek OG&E Coliseum, funded by MAPS 4 and other sources, opened earlier this summer.
With modern seating, hospitality suites, and flexible event space, it’s poised to become OKC’s new hub for shows, sports, and horse events, and it keeps the economic engine of the fairgrounds humming.
To thousands of Oklahomans, the Norick Arena was magical—the place where stars like Elvis and Reba warmed up, dreams were forged, and hometown pride felt big enough to fill the rafters. As the dust of demolition settles, those memories won’t vanish; they’ll echo in photos, old ticket stubs, and stories passed down through years of excited whispers.
