The Norman Transcript

Headlines

Discussion

November 30, 2012

Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center opens near Davis

Transcript Staff The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — Building features portals, serves as a gateway

Travelers along Interstate 35 in south central Oklahoma now have a new place to stop, shop and stretch. Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby and other officials today took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center and Bedré Fine Chocolates retail store. Both venues are located at the southwest corner of I-35 and State Highway 7 at exit 55 in Murray County.

Anoatubby said the new welcome center continues the nation’s strategic tourism effort that includes major projects in Davis, Sulphur, Chickasha and Thackerville areas.

“This welcome center is the gateway for many family friendly attractions and cultural destinations in south central Oklahoma,” Anoatubby said. “This is an excellent location for us to share the heritage of the Chickasaw people as well as to create an educational experience and a comfortable, inviting spot to take a break for the thousands who travel along I-35 each day.”

The 5,500-square-foot welcome center features information about the hundreds of destinations and lodging options located in Chickasaw Country, as well as two interactive kiosks. The kiosks will enable visitors to customize a travel route from hotel to attraction to restaurant and everything in between. 

The welcome center also features works of art by Native American artists. It will have a gift shop featuring Made in Oklahoma products, a lounge area, vending machines, an outdoor children’s playground, a dog park and public restrooms. Free coffee for all visitors is available as well as ample parking to accommodate campers and trailers. 

The Chickasaw Nation Welcome Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. November through February and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. March through October. Travel information and brochures for destinations throughout Oklahoma will be available 24 hours a day.

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Headlines
  • Tornado 1 Norman fire chief says public storm facilities don’t offer adequate protection

    Oklahomans are always going to need a safe place to take cover when severe weather hits, as it so often does during the spring and summer months, but officials have found many problems tied to public shelters....

    June 18, 2013 1 Photo

  • Schools need better shelters during storms

    Analysis and improvement of schools’ storm procedures is nothing new for scholars like Stephanie Hoekstra, whose master’s thesis was based on this topic in 2011....

    June 18, 2013

  • Medical witness says Bransby could not have survived gunshot wound

    Evidence presented Monday during Day 4 of a manslaughter trial in Cleveland County District Court indicates that victim Kelsey Bransby was shot at close range. Bransby, 19, was found unconscious a few hours after being shot in the head on ...

    June 18, 2013

  • NPS budget anticipates $91M revenue

    The Norman Board of Education approved a Fiscal Year 2014 budget Monday that exceeds expected revenue by $3.1 million....

    June 18, 2013

  • 10 attorneys remain in running for judge post

    Ten attorneys are vying for the district judge seat being vacated by longtime Cleveland County Judge Tom Lucas, records show....

    June 19, 2013

  • Council questions NCVB budget

    The Norman City Council wants more details from the Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau on how it plans to spend the extra $200,000 in transient guest tax next year. At Tuesday’s study session, council members questioned a lack of ...

    June 19, 2013

  • Defendant found guilty in manslaughter trial

    After only a few hours of deliberating, a Cleveland County jury found Cole Hopper guilty of manslaughter Tuesday afternoon. The jury has recommended a sentence of nine years....

    June 19, 2013

  • Experts say that residents should have emergency preparedness plans

    Though tornado season rolls into Oklahoma year in and year out, unpredictably dangerous twisters catch many who have no emergency plan off-guard, resulting in injuries or death....

    June 19, 2013

  • Woman allegedly embezzled $16K

    A Noble woman was charged Tuesday in Cleveland County District Court after allegedly embezzling from a storage unit company in Moore. Tina Sue O’Kelly, 46, allegedly embezzled $16,199.14 from American Self Storage, 1701 Tower Drive. ...

    June 19, 2013

  • Critique club welcomes writers

    Do you have a secret goal of being a writer? Is there a story in your soul, ready to burst forth? You might be surprised to discover more than 90 percent of the population say they have a hidden desire to write book. Fewer than one ...

    June 19, 2013