SageNet Center

History

The Expo Center, originally called the International Petroleum Exposition Center (and often called the IPE Building), was funded by a $3.5 million bond issue in 1966, and upon completion became home to the International Petroleum Exposition. At the time of its completion, it was the world's largest building under a single roof. Standing in front of the Expo Center is the Golden Driller which was added as a symbol of the International Petroleum Exposition in 1966. Weighing 43,500 pounds and standing 76 feet (23 m) tall, the Golden Driller has become the symbol of Expo Square and a Tulsa landmark.

Design of the building was performed by David R. Graham and Associates of Tulsa. Team members included engineers David R. Graham, C.E.C, Melvin L. Sedlacek, C.E.C. and architect Bert E. Griffin, A.I.A. Sedlacek and Griffin received a second-place award from The James F. Lincoln Arc Welding Foundation in 1966 for their design paper submission. Their paper dealt with the unique method of framing the structure, whereby the roof is suspended with cables, such as used in bridge construction but rarely seen in buildings.

In July 2007 the building was renamed the QuikTrip Center, after Tulsa's QuikTrip Corporation paid $2.6 million as part of a reported 10-year naming rights agreement.

In November 2012 it was reported that the Muscogee (Creek) Nation had agreed to buy the naming rights for the building commencing in 2013, as part of a deal that would have also seen the end of horse racing at Expo Square's Fair Meadows Race Track. Several weeks later, however, the Fair Board voted to reconsider the decision and reinstate racing, which also had the effect of putting the new naming deal on hold.

In September 2021 the building was renamed once again, the SageNet Center.