15 replies to this topic

[ash72704]

I read about this in a local paper a few weeks back and it really made my day. Apparently this venue has been in the "Idea" phase for a long time, however according to one of the newspapers they've recently received a $20 Million anonymous donation to get the ball rolling on the project. Their plan has been approved by the Benton Co. Planning Board, and they hope to break ground in a couple of months. I'll try to post a few links to paper articles and their website.

Here's a few links to newspaper articles & their website...

http://www.facebook.com/OsageCreek


http://www.fayettevi...r-2011-opening/

http://www.fayettevi...-benton-county/

[Mith242]

ash72704, on 12 February 2010 - 09:32 AM, said:

I read about this in a local paper a few weeks back and it really made my day. Apparently this venue has been in the "Idea" phase for a long time, however according to one of the newspapers they've recently received a $20 Million anonymous donation to get the ball rolling on the project. Their plan has been approved by the Benton Co. Planning Board, and they hope to break ground in a couple of months. I'll try to post a few links to paper articles and their website.

Here's a few links to newspaper articles & their website...

http://www.facebook.com/OsageCreek


http://www.fayettevi...r-2011-opening/

http://www.fayettevi...-benton-county/

Thanks for the info and welcome to the forum by the way.  

[zman9810]

When I first heard about this I thought it sounded too good to be true but it sounds like it might actually happen. If it does it could be a landmark venue that is a must-be-at for artists and their fans. It would be very cool to have a place like this to attend outdoor concerts at right here in NWA! The Green aspect makes it even more attractive. This could be a venue that draws the acts and concert-goers who now attend Rocklahoma over at Pryor, Oklahoma and even Wakarusa goers. It would seem some sort of signature festival would be needed in order for it to be a success.

I certainly wonder where the $20 million donation is coming from- that is a huge chunk of change for such a venture. They must have done some marketing studies to see if this was a good return on investment.

I think it is interesting that the newspaper article out a while back quoted one of those involved with the project as saying that it would provide an alternative to the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville. The reasoning quoted was that the WAC was too small to hold some larger events. I wonder what events that the WAC might be considered for might be held here?

[ash72704]

When I first heard about this I thought it sounded too good to be true but it sounds like it might actually happen. If it does it could be a landmark venue that is a must-be-at for artists and their fans. It would be very cool to have a place like this to attend outdoor concerts at right here in NWA!

I'm sure we're all wondering if the donation came from the Waltons... Which would be very interesting if it did. It would certainly show that they want Arts venues across the entire region -- not just concentrated in Benton county. One of the big problems I have with living in NWA is the lack of concert events.... I'm certain the demand for big name bands is here, considering the size of the metropolitan area & the large amount of college kids (20 thousand at U of A and 8 thousand at NWACC)

I would love to see a scenario here in a couple of years where I could spend a Saturday taking my kids to Crystal Bridges in the morning, driving to Fayetteville to see a Broadway musical matinee, then going to an outdoor concert at Osage Creek in the evening. Not a bad day at all.

[zman9810]

ash72704, on 19 February 2010 - 02:04 PM, said:

I'm sure we're all wondering if the donation came from the Waltons... Which would be very interesting if it did. It would certainly show that they want Arts venues across the entire region -- not just concentrated in Benton county. One of the big problems I have with living in NWA is the lack of concert events.... I'm certain the demand for big name bands is here, considering the size of the metropolitan area & the large amount of college kids (20 thousand at U of A and 8 thousand at NWACC)

I would love to see a scenario here in a couple of years where I could spend a Saturday taking my kids to Crystal Bridges in the morning, driving to Fayetteville to see a Broadway musical matinee, then going to an outdoor concert at Osage Creek in the evening. Not a bad day at all.

I second your ideas about Crystal Bridges/ Wac in Fayetteville/ Osage Creek concert- that wuld be fantastic. We wouldn't be forced to travel hours away to have those experiences.

One reason for the lack of large concert events in NWA is the existance of new, large venues close by in Tulsa (BOK)and Kansas City (Sprint Ctr.) not to forget others such as Verizon in Little Rock, Ford in Oklahoma City and the myriad of venues in Dallas. It is hard to justify a event coming to NWA when there is a larger population to draw attendees from close to those venues. It is the same problem NWA has in attacting new business- if it is a company looking to relocate we have to overcome the lack of amenities that other regional cities can offer. We actually do quite well- there have been a lot of big name acts come through the area in recent years- I'd still like to see more though.

[slyder1]

zman9810, on 21 February 2010 - 10:53 PM, said:

I second your ideas about Crystal Bridges/ Wac in Fayetteville/ Osage Creek concert- that wuld be fantastic. We wouldn't be forced to travel hours away to have those experiences.

One reason for the lack of large concert events in NWA is the existance of new, large venues close by in Tulsa (BOK)and Kansas City (Sprint Ctr.) not to forget others such as Verizon in Little Rock, Ford in Oklahoma City and the myriad of venues in Dallas. It is hard to justify a event coming to NWA when there is a larger population to draw attendees from close to those venues. It is the same problem NWA has in attacting new business- if it is a company looking to relocate we have to overcome the lack of amenities that other regional cities can offer. We actually do quite well- there have been a lot of big name acts come through the area in recent years- I'd still like to see more though.

WOW!  This place looks amazing... I'm excited to see this open.  I think what you guys aren't realizing is that this is an outdoor venue.  The big arena's in Tulsa, OKC, KC, and Dallas don't compete with outdoor venues.  Big arena's are for the fall/winter season, then the tours hit the Outdoor Pavilion's like this during the summer months... they make a hell of a lot more money that way.  I think y'all will be shocked who gets booked here, that is if the concert promoter hired for the job knows what their doing.  I'm just glad one of us in the Ozarks is building something like this, because it is ridiculous it has taken this long.  This place screams music festivals.  Up here in Springfield the city was going to build a pavilion downtown, but then scrapped the plans because there wasn't enough land for a venue large enough like this Osage Creek.  Anyways I have no doubt that we will see the likes of Dave Mathews Band, Tom Petty, Carrie Underwood, Rascall Flatts, etc.... come through this place.

[Mith242]

I guess it hadn't crossed my mind yet.  But I'd imagine it's a good guess the AMP will eventually be relocating to this facility.  I suppose something could happen and they couldn't work things out but I think that would be a big surprise.

[OCPAC]

Hi Folks; we are so very excited to see the conversations about the Osage Creek Performing Arts Center. I would like to clarify a few things for you all:

1) There is NO 20 Million dollar "donation" nor was there ever. We are looking at a few different options for financing, mostly in the private sector. Money is always a big issue with any project especially one of this scope and scale, but we are confident of the merits of this project to finalize our funding.

2) We are surely looking to host a diverse group of events, not only Rock & Roll. We would ideally like to see a variety that includes Classical Music as well as Pop, and performing arts.

3) We need local support!! This project is so much bigger than any one person or company, our goal is to bring to the forefront all of the culture and art of the region, and give it a global spotlight. We welcome any and all input from interested parties to help us best serve the people of this great region.

4) In spite of all the musings on our FB Page, there is currently no schedule of events at this time to be announced. We are actively working to oversee our logistacal and tactical planning to ensure that whatever we do is not only a success financially, but to ensure that any events are planned out well so as to minimalize the immediate impact on our communities.


Thanks, and stay in touch... Osage Creek Performing Arts Center (OCPAC)

[Mith242]

OCPAC, on 16 March 2010 - 10:42 AM, said:

Hi Folks; we are so very excited to see the conversations about the Osage Creek Performing Arts Center. I would like to clarify a few things for you all:

1) There is NO 20 Million dollar "donation" nor was there ever. We are looking at a few different options for financing, mostly in the private sector. Money is always a big issue with any project especially one of this scope and scale, but we are confident of the merits of this project to finalize our funding.

2) We are surely looking to host a diverse group of events, not only Rock & Roll. We would ideally like to see a variety that includes Classical Music as well as Pop, and performing arts.

3) We need local support!! This project is so much bigger than any one person or company, our goal is to bring to the forefront all of the culture and art of the region, and give it a global spotlight. We welcome any and all input from interested parties to help us best serve the people of this great region.

4) In spite of all the musings on our FB Page, there is currently no schedule of events at this time to be announced. We are actively working to oversee our logistacal and tactical planning to ensure that whatever we do is not only a success financially, but to ensure that any events are planned out well so as to minimalize the immediate impact on our communities.


Thanks, and stay in touch... Osage Creek Performing Arts Center (OCPAC)

Thanks for the info and clarification and welcome to the forum.  

[zman9810]

Yes, thanks for the information. I guess that is good news/bad news about there not being a $20 million donation. If there were one financing wouldn't be needed- you could build a very nice venue with that. On the flip side- financing made be hard to come by without a sizable gift of some kind.

I do have a couple of questions though. I don't mean to be discouraging or negative but have you done marketing studies that show a clear need for a project of this kind and scope in NWA? The population base in NWA seems small for something this size when there are many all-weather venues in the region that are closer to larger metros. The arena that was proposed for Benton County several years ago would have been a likely failure because of the competition from the new arenas within a short driving distance from NWA. When agencies are looking to book acts they look for that large pool of ticket buyers close by to sell to.

You somewhat addressed my second question but are you looking to have a regular large festival at Osage Creek? Seems like that would go a long ways towards having success. I certainly would like to see the project happen and look foward to hearing more about it.

[bubba72704]

Looks like this is really going to happen.... (fingers crossed)

Saw this article in the Fayetteville Flyer -- Ground breaking in about a week, and should have it's first concert in July.  
http://www.fayettevi...en-this-summer/

[zman9810]

bubba72704, on 01 December 2010 - 02:57 PM, said:

Looks like this is really going to happen.... (fingers crossed)

Saw this article in the Fayetteville Flyer -- Ground breaking in about a week, and should have it's first concert in July.  
http://www.fayettevi...en-this-summer/

This is going to be great! It will be so nice to have a large performance venue that is not controlled by the WAC. I'll buy a ticket to every show that I can. Of course, if it is successful you can be sure they will come calling soon....

[bubba72704]

Looks like Willie Nelson's going to be the first act....  July 3rd -- mark your calendars!  Really exciting to have a good outdoor venue for music here in NWA...  Especially one that will fit 15,000 people.

http://www.countryth...loam_springs_ar

[zman9810]

bubba72704, on 28 January 2011 - 11:43 AM, said:

Looks like Willie Nelson's going to be the first act....  July 3rd -- mark your calendars!  Really exciting to have a good outdoor venue for music here in NWA...  Especially one that will fit 15,000 people.

http://www.countryth...loam_springs_ar

That's great news- good way to start off the OCPAC.

[Sammy00]

Just kind of wondering what is going on with this project.

I read that the first concert, featuring Willie Nelson, was canceled due to inclement weather July 3rd. The strange thing is that I have heard nothing since, and the Facebook page hasn't been updated since June.

Really expected the buzz to be a little louder when it was completed a couple of months ago.

[Mith242]

Sammy00, on 07 September 2011 - 11:49 PM, said:

Just kind of wondering what is going on with this project.

I read that the first concert, featuring Willie Nelson, was canceled due to inclement weather July 3rd. The strange thing is that I have heard nothing since, and the Facebook page hasn't been updated since June.

Really expected the buzz to be a little louder when it was completed a couple of months ago.

Looks like they just updated their Facebook page.  Said weather and money set them back.  They even mentioned basically this whole thing was paid for by three people.