Residents of Oklahoma City can look forward to a new arena on the horizon, as the City Council gears up to give the green light to architects for the upcoming project. Slated for review on Tuesday, MANICA Architecture and TVS are the chosen ones to possibly lead the city into its next chapter of sports and entertainment venues. Oklahoma City's official news states, "Both TVS and Manica Architecture have designed iconic arena and stadium projects worldwide," as noted by OKC Director David Todd. He goes on to praise their ability to create "functional, memorable buildings that communities are proud of."

With a roster of design feats under their belts, including the Chase Center and Allegiant Stadium, Kansas City-based MANICA is no stranger to high-profile sport projects. Collaborating closely, Atlanta-based TVS will bring to the table their international experience featuring gems like the Jio World Center. However, before the new design takes shape, the current Prairie Surf Studios – the former Cox Convention Center – will say its goodbye, with demolition earmarked for 2025 and designs set to commence immediately, as reported by the Oklahoma City.

Last December, Oklahoma City voters cast their ballots in favor of augmenting the city with a new arena, and the wheels have been in motion since. A penny sales tax, unaffected by the preceding MAPS 4 tax, will serve as the financial backbone for the $900 million plan, supplemented by $70 million of MAPS 4 funding and a generous $50 million from the Oklahoma City Thunder ownership group. This fiscal strategy, anchored in public ownership, will facilitate an arena built to NBA specifications that serves the local community and secures the Thunder's presence in the city.

Oklahoma City's commitment to sports and its teams is further cemented by the Thunder's 25-year pledge to remain locals, which will be triggered when the team takes possession of the new stadium. Until then, the Paycom Center remains the Thunder's battleground. Aiming for June 2028, the city holds a contractual obligation to unfurl the new arena by June 2030, as reported by Oklahoma City's official news. With the countdown started, the city can brace for a sports venue revolution, echoing the communal pride its architects speak of.