Oklahoma Centennial Commission approves $16 million for centennial projects

Wednesday, April 19th 2006, 11:58 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- The Oklahoma Capitol Complex and Centennial Commemoration Commission has approved $16 million in funding for projects to celebrate the state's centennial next year.

Half of the money approved Tuesday will go to projects in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, and the remainder will go to projects in other areas of the state, said Blake Wade, the commission's executive director.

The commission approved $1.2 million for the Centennial Botanical Garden in Tulsa, pending passage of a local bond issue, and $800,000 for a Centennial Park in the city.

Also approved were $1 million for the Oklahoma Land Run Monument in Oklahoma City, $450,000 for an Oklahoma Centennial Exposition at State Fair Park, $400,000 for the Waynoka Transportation Museum and Regional Interpretive Center and $320,000 for the Chisolm Trail Heritage Center in Duncan.

The commission also signed off on $850,000 for the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Museum in Oklahoma City. The museum, run by the Jim Thorpe Association, is moving to a new, larger site that will undergo a $6 million renovation.

Oklahoma City also agreed Tuesday to give $500,000 to the museum. The city will give the money over the next four years from its municipal facilities authority.

Commission members originally asked for $35 million to $38 million to finance 300 projects across the state. Only 156 projects were approved.

The projects should be started this year and most should be completed by the Nov. 16, 2007, centennial, Wade said.

To find out about Oklahoma's Centennial, CLICK HERE.