Soon-To-Open Conference Center ‘Big Deal' For Glenpool

Chris Wright, News On Six

GLENPOOL, Oklahoma -- One Green Country Community is moving forward with a multi-million dollar project. Glenpool is set to open its new Conference Center in the upcoming months.

The Conference Center is a project the city hopes will attract businesses that normally would not consider Glenpool, and it's another big step forward for the community.

The soon-to-open facility is a first of its kind for Glenpool. The city usually has to host large events in its high school's gym, but that won't be the case for much longer.

"This is a big deal for Glenpool," said Conference Center Director Lea Ann Golden.

Golden says the city has wanted a building like the conference center for a long time, and last August it finally got the go-ahead to build one.

Revenue bonds are paying for the construction. City employees will move in January, and it will be open for events by March.

At 57,000 square feet and a cost of $11 million, the city of Glenpool says this conference center is certainly an upgrade over its current facilities.

"We always have calls at City Hall asking where they can have this function or this type of event, or even just a conference. The city council felt like this was something we really needed here in Glenpool," Golden said.

The center is also part of a push to attract more businesses to a city that has traditionally struggled to do that.

Two major chains are slated to build two hotels next to the conference center. A number of businesses have already opened nearby.

"This is an economic tool we're really going to use to bring in not money just inside the walls, but outside those walls to create dollars for the restaurants, retailers and hotels," Golden said.

And in an economic environment that has forced most cities to do more with less, Golden says this project bodes well for Glenpool's future.

"We continue to grow even with the economic times the way they are, we continue to grow. You can see that from our sales tax," she said.

The second and third floors will be reserved for city offices, while the first floor will feature a large conference room, board rooms, an atrium and an amphitheater.