SpiritBank Event Center facts for kids
| Location | 10441 S Regal Blvd. Bixby, Oklahoma |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 36°0′41″N 95°52′57″W / 36.01139°N 95.88250°W |
| Owner | SpiritBank |
| Operator | SpiritBank |
| Capacity | 4,500 |
| Surface | Multi |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 2008 |
| Construction cost | $50 million |
| Tenants | |
| Tulsa 66ers (NBA D-League) (2008–2009, 2012–2014) | |
The SpiritBank Event Center was a large building in Bixby, Oklahoma. It was a multi-purpose arena and convention center. This means it could host many different kinds of events. The center had seats for 4,500 people. It cost about $50 million to build. Inside, there was a big open space for events, about 35,000 square feet. There were also smaller rooms, about 10,000 square feet, for parties or meetings.
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What Was the SpiritBank Event Center?
The SpiritBank Event Center opened in 2008. It was designed to be a place for many different activities. People could come for concerts, sports games, and big meetings. It was an important spot for entertainment in Bixby.
A Look Back: Its History
From the time it opened in 2008, the center hosted many famous performers. Bands like ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd played there. Other artists like Jason Mraz and Chris Tomlin also performed.
Home for the Tulsa 66ers
In December 2008, the SpiritBank Event Center became home to a basketball team. This team was the Tulsa 66ers. They played in the NBA Development League, which is now called the NBA G League. It's a league where players can develop their skills. Before this, the team played at the Expo Square Pavilion.
After the 2008–2009 season, the 66ers decided to look for a new place to play. They even had a disagreement with the arena's owners.
Who Owned and Managed It?
In late 2009, a bank called SpiritBank took over the arena. They had lent money to the original builders. The bank wanted to keep the center open. They hoped to find someone new to buy it.
The facility was sold to an investment group in September 2010. But SpiritBank bought it back in June 2011. Then, in May 2012, the Tulsa 66ers announced they would return. They played at the SpiritBank Center for the 2012–2013 season.
What Happened to the Center?
In June 2014, SpiritBank made a big announcement. They said they would no longer book events for the main arena. They also stopped leasing out the space. This meant the center would no longer host concerts or sports games.
Years later, in August 2019, a group called Transformation Church bought the building. They paid $10.5 million for it. The former SpiritBank Event Center was then changed into a church.
