Bell's Out, What About The Drillers And Big Splash?

Thursday, November 9th 2006, 10:16 am

By: News On 6

Bellâ€™s Amusement Parkâ€™s lease is up at the Tulsa Fairgrounds. Tulsa County Commissioner Randi Miller says owner Robbie Bell doesn't have a viable plan to pay the rent, not even the reduced rent he's been paying for the last couple of years.

So what do other attractions pay for their spot at the county fairgrounds? There are really just two venues that compare to Bell's, Drillers Stadium and Big Splash.

The Drillers pay a flat fee of $18,000 a year. The County also gets a cut of concessions, and 50-cents from every ticket goes back to improving the fairgrounds.

The Drillers are committed until the 2009 season. General Manager Chuck Lamson tells the News on 6, they can exercise a 5-year option, and renew through 2014 if they want.

We couldn't get anyone from Big Splash to talk to us Thursday, but we know last year Expo Square said the owners had seven more years on their lease.

The Tulsa County fairgrounds collect a percentage of Big Splash admissions every year. That total's usually between $110,000 and $120,000.

As for Fair Meadows, theyâ€™re also on county property, but the grandstands and other facilities at the racetrack already belong to the county.

That's also the case for the Health Department that sits next door to Drillers Stadium.