Oklahoma City voters overwhelmingly approved a temporary one-cent sales tax on March 4, 2008 to fund major upgrades to Oklahoma City’s arena (formerly known as the Ford Center) and build an off-site practice facility for an NBA franchise. 

The proposal passed 61.9 percent (44,849) to 38.1 percent (27,564). 

The penny sales tax generated $105.2 million over 15 months, began when the MAPS for Kids tax expired on December 31, 2008.

Improvement plans include: 

• Grand entrance
• Terrazzo flooring
• New scoreboard
• Renovated bathrooms
• New restaurants, clubs and concession areas
• Bunker suites, loge seats and sky boxes
• New locker rooms
• NBA team offices
• 12,000-square-foot kids zone

The transformation can be seen on the Chesapeake Energy Arena’s website.

All enhancements, including the training facility, will be owned by the City of Oklahoma City.