SpiritBank Event Center#Ownership
{{Short description|Multipurpose convention center}}
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name = SpiritBank Event Center
| nickname =
| image =
| location = 10441 S Regal Blvd.
Bixby, Oklahoma
| coordinates = {{coord|36|0|41|N|95|52|57|W|region:US-OK_type:landmark_source:dewiki|display=it}}
| broke_ground =
| opened = 2008
| closed =
| demolished =
| owner = SpiritBank
| operator = SpiritBank
| construction_cost = $50 million
| surface = Multi
| tenants = Tulsa 66ers (NBA D-League) (2008–2009, 2012–2014)
| seating_capacity = 4,500
}}
The SpiritBank Event Center was a 4,500 seat multi-purpose arena and convention center in Bixby, Oklahoma built at a cost of $50 million.{{cite news|first=Jeff|last=Billington|newspaper=Tulsa World|accessdate=2008-09-19|date=2008-09-13|url=http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080913_11_A11_Thisis102876|title=It's nearly showtime}}[http://www.spiritbankeventcenter.com/general.asp?id=3 Event Center Info] at [http://www.spiritbankeventcenter.com/ SpiritBank Event Center website.] The center contains {{convert|35000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}. of arena floor space and {{convert|10000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}}. of banquet rooms/ballrooms.
History
Since opening in 2008 it has been the site of numerous concerts and events, including ZZ Top, Stone Temple Pilots, Jason Mraz, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Chris Tomlin. In December 2008, it became the new home of the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League. (Previously, the team played at the Expo Square Pavilion.Glen Hibdon, "[http://www.tulsaworld.com/sports/article.aspx?articleID=20080210_2_B1_spanc22342 66ers likely moving to Bixby arena]", Tulsa World, February 10, 2008.) After the 2008–2009 season, however, the team announced it would seek another venue for the next season, and it filed a lawsuit against the owner of the arena.Mike Strain, [http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20090530_226_A11_TheTul223468 "66ers' owners sue Bixby arena's owners"], Tulsa World, May 31, 2009.
In late 2009, ownership and management of the arena (and its surrounding Regal Plaza retail and office center) was transferred to Tulsa-based SpiritBank, which had lent about $28 million to the original developers.Robert Evatt, [http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=32&articleid=20091202_32_E1_People589936 "Bankable venue: SpiritBank takes over ownership of event center, plaza in Bixby"], Tulsa World, December 2, 2009. The bank stated its intention to keep the facility operational while seeking a buyer.Robert Evatt, [http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=32&articleid=20091223_32_E1_Spirit855948 "Complex owner SpiritBank gets tax rebate"], Tulsa World, December 23, 2009. In September 2010 the facility was sold to an investment group,Robert Evatt, [http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=32&articleid=20100922_32_E1_CUTLIN718334 "SpiritBank Event Center gets new owner"], Tulsa World, September 22, 2010. but the bank bought it back in June 2011.Robert Evatt, [http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=32&articleid=20110618_32_E1_CUTLIN994627 "SpiritBank reacquires namesake events center"], Tulsa World, June 18, 2011. In May 2012 the 66ers announced that they would return to the SpiritBank Center for the 2012–2013 season.[http://www.newson6.com/story/18384514/tulsa-66ers-returning-to-bixbys-spiritbank-event-center "Tulsa 66ers Returning To Bixby's SpiritBank Event Center"], KOTV-DT, May 14, 2012.
In June 2014, SpiritBank announced that it would no longer seek bookings for the main arena, and would no longer lease the space. In August 2019, Transformation Church purchased the building for $10.5 million and turned it into a church.Tyler Butler,
[https://ktul.com/news/local/transformation-church-buys-unused-spirit-bank-event-center-for-105-million Transformation Church buys unused Spirit Bank Event Center for $10.5 million], ktul.com, USA, August 16, 2019
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.nba.com/dleague/tulsa/ Tulsa 66ers]
{{NBA Development League arenas}}
Category:Convention centers in Oklahoma
Category:Indoor arenas in Oklahoma
Category:Tourist attractions in Tulsa County, Oklahoma
Category:Buildings and structures in Tulsa County, Oklahoma