TULSA, Okla. – The Tulsa Oilers franchise is currently in the process of searching for a new practice facility, Pro Hockey News has learned.
According to a public notice posted near Tulsa’s Promenade Mall recently, the team is seeking a special exception from the City of Tulsa Board of Adjustment. The team is interested in a space that housed a department store on the mall’s southwest corner until 2017.
The Tulsa Oilers are seeking approval from the City of Tulsa Board of Adjustment to convert the former Macy’s store at Promenade Mall into the team’s new practice facility and offices / Photo by John Hall (PHN)
The City of Tulsa Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing over the proposed project on April 12 / Photo by John Hall (PHN)
The Board of Adjustment confirmed that the Oilers are looking to move their current facility to the proposed location and notes that it is allowed by special exception since it is above a 250-person capacity. In addition to ice rinks with spectator seating and a practice facility, the facility could also include a restaurant and pro shop.
A public hearing has been scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on April 12 at Tulsa City Hall.
Tulsa Oilers Owner Andy Scurto / Photo by Les Stockton PHN)
Oilers Owner Andy Scurto tells PHN that he is currently working to find a new location for team offices, along with a practice rink and is considering the space formerly occupied by Macy’s department store.
“Hopefully all goes well and we will have another ice facility in Tulsa,” Scurto said in an email.
He added that the deal will not be finalized until the exception passes and engineering research confirms the feasibility of putting ice in the building.
The Tulsa metro area, with a population of just over 1 million, currently has only one public ice rink that is open year-round. The Oilers Ice Center, located on South Mingo Road, hosts a large number of youth programs, adult leagues, skating lessons, curling events, public skating and serves as the official practice facility for the team that plays in the ECHL’s Mountain Division.
The Oilers have practiced at the Oilers Ice Center since 1997 when that facility opened. A new facility would not only allow the team to have offices and practice facilities under the same roof, but would also add a much-needed alternative to the aging and overstressed facility.
Since purchasing the franchise last September, Scurto said that providing more ice for the community is one of his goals. In a radio interview on The Blitz 1170 AM last November, Scurto outlined why more ice is needed.
The West entrance of the former Macy’s store at Tulsa’s Promenade Mall / Photo by John Hall (PHN)
The proposed facility reportedly could house new team offices, multiple ice sheets, a pro shop and resturaunt / Photo by John Hall (PHN)
“My vision is to continue to grow anything to do with the sport, inclusive of ice in the city. Having more opportunities for people of Tulsa, especially the youth to come out and skate,” he told host Rick Couri.
“I’d love to open up a lot more opportunity for kids to play hockey and youth hockey in the area, and that means we have to have more ice in the area. I’m looking at opportunities to see where we can add more ice rinks,” Scurto said.
PHN will continue to monitor this story, and provide more information as it becomes available.
Contact the writer: John.Hall@prohockeynews.com
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