The Oklahoma City Thunder’s new home is making progress since breaking ground in March, as crews began pouring concrete for the building’s substructure this week.
Continental Coliseum is being built on the site of the former arena and convention center on the block bounded by Reno Avenue, Ron Norick Boulevard, Sheridan Avenue and E.K. Gaylord Boulevard. It is planned to be open in time for the 2028-2029 season.
While crews are placing the ground-level concrete, they are also working on waterproofing and installing utility and underground electrical systems that will provide temporary power for the construction site.
“Progress continues on our new arena, which is one of the most aspirational projects in our city’s history,“ Mayor David Holt said in a news release. “This first concrete placement is another milestone in the journey, and we know this means that soon we’ll see our new arena rising out of the ground.”
As part of the project, partners assembled a time capsule full of artifacts to tell the story behind Continental Coliseum and the community when it was erected and before. Some of the items included:
- A wooden coin from the 1972 opening of the Myriad Convention Center
- A letter from Mayor David Holt
- A photograph from the Continental Coliseum groundbreaking ceremony
- A 2023 penny marking voter approval of a new arena, representing the community’s continued investment in Oklahoma City’s future
The completion of the arena will also renew the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 25-year commitment to remain in Oklahoma City.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder arena construction hits major milestone as concrete work begins
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