Construction of Oklahoma City’s future NBA arena reached a significant milestone this week as crews began pouring the first structural concrete for Continental Coliseum, signaling the transition from site preparation to vertical construction.
The first concrete pour begins work on the arena’s foundation and lower levels following months of demolition, excavation and utility installation at the downtown construction site. City officials say the project remains on schedule for completion in 2028.
To commemorate the occasion, project partners assembled a “Legacy Capsule” filled with artifacts representing Oklahoma City’s past, present and future. Rather than being a traditional time capsule buried underground, the collection serves as a snapshot of the city’s transformation and the community investment behind the new arena.
Items honoring the site’s history include a wooden coin from the 1972 grand opening of the Myriad Convention Center, which previously occupied the location, and a 1993 penny marking voter approval of the original Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) initiative that launched Oklahoma City’s modern renaissance.
Artifacts representing the present include a letter from Mayor David Holt, a copy of Jimmy Do’s “Hope Wins” photograph from the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2025 NBA championship parade, oil samples from four Continental Resources wells recognizing the arena’s naming partner, and memorabilia from the arena groundbreaking, including an event credential, commemorative medallion, construction safety vest and ceremony photograph.
Looking toward the future, the capsule includes a 2023 penny commemorating voter approval of the new arena and a timeline illustrating Oklahoma City’s continued investment through its one-cent sales tax initiatives. Together, the artifacts celebrate what project leaders call “The Power of One Penny,” highlighting how generations of Oklahoma City residents have repeatedly chosen to invest in public projects that have shaped the city’s growth.
Construction crews will continue placing thousands of cubic yards of concrete over the coming months before steel erection begins later in the project.
Continental Coliseum is scheduled to open in 2028 as the new home of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Once the team relocates, its new 25-year commitment to remain in Oklahoma City will take effect. City leaders say the arena is expected to serve as both an economic driver and a centerpiece of Oklahoma City’s continued cultural and downtown development.
Visit Continental Coliseum for more information.