The Stride Bank Center is an arena in downtown Enid, Oklahoma. History Construction on the Stride Bank Center began in May 2011.Malan, Joe, "Groundbreaking City of Enid's Renaissance Project under way", Enid News & Eagle, May 20, 2011 The building was designed by Convergence DesignBarron, Robert, 'Enid Renaissance design firm meets the public at charrette", Enid News & Eagle, February 2, 2011 and constructed by Key ConstructionBarron, Robert, "Renaissance Project contracts meeting turns testy", Enid News & Eagle, October 11, 2011 as part of the Enid Renaissance project, a $24 million project which included the renovation of Convention Hall and the addition of 1,100 additional parking spaces in the downtown area. The former Geronimo Motor Company building was torn down for parking accommodations. It opened on June 15, 2013 with the Greater Enid Chamber of Commerce Business Expo. Stride Bank Center was previously named the Enid Event Center & Convention Hall (June 15, 2013 – June 13, 2016),Barron, Robert, "Buildings being demolished for parking", Enid News & Eagle, September 2, 2012 and Central National Bank Center (June 14, 2016 – March 21, 2019). It was renamed the Stride Bank Center on March 22, 2019.
Convention Hall In 1919, Milton C. Garber, then mayor of Enid, and his commissioner aides, G. W. Pancoast and Jason W. Butts, proposed a bond issue for the construction of a building to memorialize the efforts of Garfield County soldiers in World War I.McKiddy, J.H., "ENID One of Oklahoma's Fairest and Most Progressive Cities", The Frisco Employes Magazine, September 1924 Sealed bids were accepted until September 1, 1919 on bonds of $250,000 for the construction of the convention hall.Municipal Journal & Public Works, Volume 47, No 8., page 28Industrial employment survey bulletin, Volumes 1-2, United States Employment Service, page 20 The building was constructed at a cost of $500,000 with an original capacity of 5,000. It was designed by the architectural firm Layton, Smith and Forsyth and constructed by Bass and Frankenfield Builders. It served as a meeting place for the Enid Chamber of Commerce. The hall served as a venue for stage productions including plays such as Hitchy-Koo and Al G. Field minstrel shows and for musicians such as John Philip Sousa, Ernestine Schumann-Heink, Bob Wills, and Fred Waring.Lightsey, Eva, "A vision for MARK PRICE ARENA", Enid on the Move, June 2009. President George Bush spoke at the venue while campaigning in 1992.
The original hall was four stories tall, and had two balconies: the first of which holds 995 people and the second 667 people. The floor measures at long by wide, and can hold 600 people. The ceiling is high, and the stage measures at wide and nearly long.Mark Price Arena
Mark Price Arena The Mark Price Arena was a 2,500-seat multi-purpose arena in Enid, Oklahoma located in Convention Hall, named in 1993 after basketball player Mark Price who played for Georgia Tech and the Cleveland Cavaliers. In addition to hosting concerts and high school sports, the arena was home to the Oklahoma Storm, a basketball team in the USBL. The Skeltur Conference Tournament was held at the arena from 1964 to 2012.Skeltur adjusts to new site The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, Oklahoma
Renovations In May 2011, city officials attended a groundbreaking to begin the Enid Renaissance Project which would renovate Convention Hall.Malan, Joe, "Groundbreaking: City of Enid's Renaissance Project under way", Enid News & Eagle, May 20, 2011 W. L. McNatt and Company, of Oklahoma City was awarded a $7,082,000 renovation contract to update the building. The project added a 11,000 sq ft ballroom, a 3,000 sq ft ballroom and 5,500 sq ft of meeting areas.Barron, Robert, "Renaissance Project contracts' meeting turns testy", Enid News & Eagle, October 11, 2011 The renovated location is the home of the Stride Bank Center, previously named the Enid Event Center and Central National Bank Center.Barron, Robert, "Buildings being demolished for parking", Enid News & Eagle, September 2, 2012 Convention Hall underwent renovations and reopened on November 18, 2012 as part of Veteran's Day festivities.Barron, Robert, "Convention Hall to open again Nov 18 at open house", Enid News & Eagle, October 4, 2012
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Notable performers
Alabama Alan Jackson Amy Grant The Beach Boys Celtic Thunder Darius Rucker Gabriel Iglesias Gary Allan Goo Goo Dolls Justin Moore Kenny Rogers Lee Brice Little Big Town Lonestar Martina McBride MercyMe Night Ranger Pat Benatar Reba McEntire Rodney Atkins Ronnie Milsap Styx Vince Gill "Weird Al" Yankovic Willie Nelson 3 Doors Down
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