Construction on Oklahoma City’s new NBA arena reached another milestone Monday as crews began pouring the first elevated concrete decks at Continental Coliseum.
The work marks a shift from months of foundation and underground construction to the building’s above-ground spaces. Crews started on the southeast side of the 750,000-square-foot arena and will work around the structure over the coming months, completing more than 18 elevated deck sections for the mezzanine and concourse levels.
“While construction over the past several months focused on foundations and underground structural support systems, the elevated deck placement begins defining the spaces that will be used by guests, staff and event attendees,” Project Director Josh Patterson of Flintco|Mortenson said.
A construction crew of nearly 175 people is also working on loading dock walls on the east side of the arena, which will eventually provide backstage access for production crews, equipment, vendors and deliveries. Flintco|Mortenson is leading construction, with Oklahoma City-based Dolese Bros. supplying concrete.
Continental Coliseum is being built on the former convention center and arena site bordered by Reno Avenue, Ron Norick Boulevard, Sheridan Avenue and E.K. Gaylord Boulevard.
Plans call for a 360-degree glass exterior, an elevated main entrance and a west-facing entrance toward Myriad Botanical Gardens that will include a street-level Thunder Alley fan area. The arena is designed with basketball-focused sightlines and seating intended to create a more intimate atmosphere.
Oklahoma City voters approved funding for the publicly owned arena in 2023. The project is being funded primarily through a 72-month, one-cent sales tax that will begin after the MAPS 4 tax ends, along with $89 million in MAPS 4 funds and $50 million from the Oklahoma City Thunder ownership group.
The arena remains on schedule to open in 2028. Visit Continental Coliseum.