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Prairie Surf Studios (originally Myriad Convention Center and later Cox Convention Center) is a film production complex located in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was formerly a convention center and the home of several minor league teams.

History

The facility, known as the Myriad Convention Center, originally was the centerpiece of Oklahoma City's first major urban renewal project, the Pei Plan. In addition to the Convention Center, the project included the removal of blighted sections of the southern downtown area. The project also began the process for the design and construction of the Myriad Botanical Gardens, located directly west of the Myriad. As the Myriad, the facility received a major renovation and expansion. The US$55.8 million project was designed by Glover Bode. Flintco, who served as the renovation's general contractor, began construction in June 1997. The work was completed in August 1999.[4]

It was later named Cox Convention Center via sponsorship with telecommunications company Cox Communications. The facility's primary use was that of large-scale convention and meeting space. It also hosted major concerts, conferences, and other large-scale events. The complex houses multiple meeting rooms, conference and convention space, dining halls, and a 15,000-seat multi-purpose arena. When it opened in 1972, it replaced the Oklahoma State Fair Arena as Oklahoma City's main indoor sports and concert venue. It would retain this status for 30 years until the opening of the Ford Center (now the Paycom Center) in 2002 directly across the street.

As the Cox Convention Center, the facility received another upgrade, budgeted at $4.5 million, to accommodate the Edmonton Oilers' top farm team, the Oklahoma City Barons, which began play in the 2010–11 season.

The arena was home to Oklahoma City Blazers hockey in the 1970s, another Blazers team from 1992 to 2002, the Bricktown Brawlers Indoor Football League team, the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League, and the Oklahoma City Blue of the NBA G League. The Oklahoma City Cavalry played in the Continental Basketball Association at the convention center from 1990 to 1997. It was also home to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association's National Finals Rodeo from 1979 to 1984. The Cox Convention Center also hosted numerous state and college basketball events, including early rounds of the Men's NCAA basketball tournament and also the 2007 and 2009 Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament and UFC Fight Night: Diaz vs. Guillard on September 16, 2009. The NCAA Men's Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships were held at the arena from 1986 to 1988.

Oklahoma City contracted with Prairie Surf Media to take over the convention center space for sound stages and production offices for their film company.[5] On January 1, 2021, the building was renamed Prairie Surf Studios.

Production studio

The building became retrofitted into a film production studio in early 2021 under the ownership of Matt Payne and Rachel Cannon. The building has five sound stages, with its largest stage sitting at 35,000 square feet.[6] The studio was used for some of the filming of Killers of the Flower Moon and the first season of Tulsa King.[7][8] Other productions to take place at the studio include American Underdog[9] and the upcoming Twisters,[10] amongst other productions.[11]

In September 2023, Prairie Surf Studios launched a creative division that aims to create original projects with Oklahoma-based productions.[12] Some of its first projects include documentaries about Clara Luper and the historic Jewel Theatre.[13]

Events

Prior to the opening of the Ford Center, the Myriad was Oklahoma City's premier sports and entertainment venue.

WCW Thunder aired live from the Myriad Convention Center on February 12, 1998. The event can be viewed on the WWE Network.

Concerts

List of concerts

Other events

References

  1. ^ a b Money, Jack; Lackmeyer, Steve (May 25, 1998). "Myriad Flap Doesn't Faze First Architect". The Oklahoman. Oklahoma City. Retrieved November 10, 2011.
  2. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  3. ^ "Architecture Firm Celebrates 77-Year Alliance in State". The Oklahoman. Oklahoma City. September 2, 1982. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  4. ^ "Myriad Renovation". The Oklahoman. Oklahoma City. August 2, 1999. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  5. ^ "Lease approved: OKC's Cox Center now in the movie business".
  6. ^ "Prairie Surf Stages". Prairie Surf.
  7. ^ Weger, Haley. "PRAIRIE SURF MEDIA HOST LAUNCH PARTY FOR 'TULSA KING'". Oklahoma News on 6.
  8. ^ Goldsmith, Jill. "Oklahoma City Launches New Prairie Surf Studios As State Boosts Production Incentives". Deadline.
  9. ^ "Oklahoma movie news: Behind-the-scenes look at 'American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story'". Prairie Surf Creative Media.
  10. ^ ""Twister 2" approved for Prairie Surf Studios". The Oklahoman.
  11. ^ "Sean Gunn and Benjamin Tefera talk about their movie 'Defiant Vanity,' filmed in Oklahoma". Yahoo.
  12. ^ "Prairie Surf Media launches creative division". KOCO 5.
  13. ^ "Prairie Surf Creative Media Projects". Prairie Surf Creative Media.
  14. ^ "BMX Grand Nationals Attracts 2,800 Bicyclists". November 21, 1993. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  15. ^ "OKC Oilfield Expo homepage". Texas Classic Productions LLC. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  16. ^ Center, Cox Convention. "Catholic Archdiocese Oklahoma City – Beatification of Venerable Servant of God Father Stanley Francis Rother – Cox Convention Center". www.coxconventioncenter.com. Retrieved September 14, 2018.

External links

Events and tenants
Preceded by Home of the
Oklahoma City Blue

2014–2020
Succeeded by
TBD
Preceded by Home of the
Oklahoma Wranglers

2000–2001
Succeeded by
Franchise folded
Preceded by Home of the
Oklahoma City Yard Dawgs

2009–2010
Succeeded by
Franchise folded
Preceded by Home of the
Oklahoma City Barons

2010–2015
Succeeded by