Oklahoma head coach Lon Kruger receives a game ball in honor of his 600th career victory from athletic director Joe Castiglione before the University of Oklahoma Sooner (OU) men play the TCU Horned Frogs in NCAA, college basketball at The Lloyd Noble Center on March 4, 2017 in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman





NORMAN — As plans stalled last month regarding the OU Foundation’s University North Park development that would’ve been centered around a new arena for OU basketball, athletic director Joe Castiglione said Saturday that there are master plans to renovate Lloyd Noble Center.

“It’s not inexpensive, however,” Castiglione said. "We’re talking about a building that’s now above 45 years old. It’s strong. It’s structurally sound and it’s obviously very functional. We plan to have the Lloyd Noble Center for many years to come. The master plan has more to do with the ever-changing interests, needs and requirements of fans and what they’re expecting in their venues.”

Financing was at the heart of the debate about a new arena that would’ve been among a mixed-use entertainment district at University North Park. The OU Foundation withdrew its resolution regarding the development at a Norman city council meeting last month. There was pushback from some council members and members of the community about a proposed tax increment to finance the project.