By Daniela Julio-Cano, FOX23 News
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — Seats are being installed at Broken Arrow’s Regent Bank Amphitheater as construction moves closer to completion ahead of the venue’s first preview shows in December.
VENU founder and chairman JW Roth said construction is nearing the finish line, with the team excited to bring the venue to life.
The amphitheater is designed to accommodate up to 12,500 people at full capacity.
The first preview shows, scheduled for Dec. 4 and 5, will be limited to 5,000 attendees.
The venue is expected to reach full capacity during the 2027 touring season.
As the project nears completion, some nearby residents are looking forward to having live music closer to home, while others are concerned about traffic and access to their neighborhoods.
Wendy Wolfe, who lives across the street from the amphitheater, said her neighborhood has limited ways to get in and out.
“We’re across the street on 101st, off of 101st and in an older neighborhood that’s got larger lots,” explained Wolfe. “There are only two exits out of our subdivision and they both come out on 101st.”
Wolfe also raised concerns about traffic near a nearby elementary school while construction continues.
She said she enjoys the idea of having concerts nearby, but worries the surrounding infrastructure may not be ready for the additional traffic.
Theresa Potts, who moved to Broken Arrow with her family within the past year, said the amphitheater could create opportunities for the community, but she is concerned about the impact on people who live nearby.
“I feel like it could expand the community and bring a lot of people together through the events that they will have there, but also if that is going to be at the expense of the people living closer to the vicinity, then that’s obviously a point of concern.”
The City of Broken Arrow said it has made several road improvements around Events Park to improve access.
Those projects include widening New Orleans Street—also known as 101st Street—adding an on-ramp to the Creek Turnpike from Events Park and creating additional access routes.
The city also said a new 43rd Street connection to State Highway 51 is in progress.
Construction north of the railroad tracks is expected to begin in early 2027.
Roth said the venue’s team has worked with the city on event day traffic plans.
He said shows typically end later in the evening, outside of the traditional rush hour period.
“These venues tend to end their programming at the lightest period of the daytime traffic, so think of 10:30 or 11 o’clock at night,” Roth explained. “This is not happening during rush hour.”
