Drillers Stadium at Expo Square is no longer home to a professional baseball team, but that doesn't mean Tulsa-area residents want the fun and games gone, too.

Results of the Old Drillers Stadium Property Survey indicate strong interest in using the site for sporting events, concerts and other forms of entertainment — regardless of whether the stadium itself is left standing.

"I think the thing that really comes across to me is that the public wants at least a part, if not all of it, used for family entertainment in one form or another," said Tulsa County Commissioner Fred Perry, the fair board's chairman.

More than 2,000 surveys were completed over a six-week period during September and October. About 80 percent of the responses came from Tulsa, Broken Arrow and Owasso.

The survey was created by the Drillers Stadium Property Committee, a panel formed to provide the fair board with a recommendation on how the site should be used now that the Drillers Double-A baseball team is moving to ONEOK Field downtown.

The survey consisted of 10 questions, including three that spoke directly to how the 5.5-acre property on the southwest corner of 15th Street and Yale Avenue should be used. In all three instances, respondents indicated they wanted the space to be used for sports- and entertainment-related activities.

Asked to rank what type of general uses they would most likely support, respondents' top three answers were: a multiuse sports complex (812); public events such as concerts and festivals (648); and development of entertainment options (444).

A follow-up question asking respondents to get specific garnered a similar response: 352 said they would like the site to be used for a soccer field, 107 wanted to see outdoor concerts and festivals there, and 103 suggested the space be used for an amusement park.

When the survey asked what types of activities should take place at the existing stadium, soccer again came out on top, followed by concerts and festivals, and baseball.

Perry has said that whatever is done with the site will not entail a tax increase. Respondents to the survey seem to be of a like mind.

When asked how future development should be paid for, 75 percent said private developers should foot the bill.

"However, over 70 percent were all right with some public financing such as bonds as long as there was no tax increase and the taxpayers were paid back from the proceeds," Perry said.

Nearly 63 percent of respondents, meanwhile, said the site should be self-supporting.

Perry said again last week that the fair board would not necessarily be bound by the survey results.

However, they will be a major factor in formulating the committee's recommendation to the board.

Perry said he expects the Drillers Stadium Property Committee to make its recommendation to the fair board by the end of the year.

The fair board, which is officially known as the Tulsa County Public Facilities Authority, is expected to make its decision about the site by April.

DRILLERS STADIUM SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS

Respondent’s hometown:

• 62.6 percent — Tulsa
• 12.2 percent — Broken Arrow
• 5.6 percent — Owasso
• 19.6 percent — Other

Which general uses for the site would you most likely support?

• No. 1 — Multiuse sports complex
• No. 2 — Public events/festivals/ concert facilities
• No. 3 — Development of entertainment options

Do you think that whatever type of redevelopment occurs should:

• 1.6 percent — Be primarily of those who use Expo Square to hold their events
• 8.4 percent — Be primarily for visitors and guests who come to Expo Square to attend events
• 37.7 percent — Blend of above options
• 45.8 percent — Be primarily to attract new events to Expo Square
• 6.4 percent — No answer

Source: Old Drillers Stadium Property Survey