The roof and ceiling structure of the historic Jim Norick Arena in Oklahoma City were imploded Tuesday morning as part of a planned demolition.

The implosion of the arena, named in honor of former Mayor Jim Norick, happened just after 7:30 a.m.

City leaders say Ron Norick, son of Jim and also a former mayor of Oklahoma City, was in attendance on Tuesday to lead the countdown to initiate the implosion.

"Over the last almost six decades, 60 years, there have been countless basketball, graduation, wrestling events," Norick said. "Horse show events, concerts, I can't tell you how many times I've been here in this building over the last sixty years, but I'm sure it's outrageous. Somewhere in the thousands."

Norick also dismissed feelings of sadness over the demolition of the arena, named fo

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