As Long as the Skyride Is Still Standing a Solution Can Be Found

Published: 2022/05/13
Last Modified: 2022/05/19 for clarification. In the post below, this sentence:
The previous operator maintains a good relationship with the county officials and Expo Square.
was replaced with this sentence to add clarity:
The previous operator, Don McClure of DMC Tulsa LLC, maintains a good relationship with the county officials and Expo Square.

First, do no harm.

Tulsa’s Von Roll skyride is an underrated gem, an important part of Tulsa’s history and our heritage.  As long as it remains standing, a solution for its future operation can be found.  If destroyed, this Tulsa treasure would be gone forever and nothing could bring it back.

The skyride is a real icon for Tulsa, part of what makes Tulsa special.  Its loss would diminish Tulsa and the state of Oklahoma.  Let’s embrace this special asset and make it into something more special and successful than ever before.

Let the Skyride stay while a solution is found.

The most pressing issue is to keep the skyride safe from demolition while a solution is found.  Viable solutions are possible.  Knowledgeable people are ready to assist.

The skyride has been standing tall above the fairgrounds for fifty-seven years.  The fairgrounds has been able to carry out all of their operations with the skyride present for all that time.  Let the skyride continue to stand tall while paths to a solution are explored.

A new operator can be found.

There exist pathways to finding a new operator.  They should be pursued.

The previous operator, Don McClure of DMC Tulsa LLC, maintains a good relationship with the county officials and Expo Square.  He is willing to facilitate, in any way needed, a way forward to continue skyride operations.  This could lead to his return or to bringing in another qualified operator.

The Skyride’s condition is sound.

Since 2007, approximately $700,000 have been invested in upgrades and improvements to the skyride, bringing it up to modern safety standards.  A large part of that investment was used to complete a major five-year overhaul during the last five years of operation.  Because the skyride typically runs for only eleven days per year, it has “low mileage”.  It’s almost like new because of the low usage along with all the new parts installed during the overhaul.

Let the Skyride’s owners have a say.

In 2007, Tulsa County purchased the skyride from Bell’s Amusement Park, making the skyride a publicly-owned asset for the people of Tulsa County.  As the skyride’s owners, the people should have ample opportunity to participate in any decision about the skyride’s fate.

Let’s save our Skyride, Tulsa!

Leave it standing so that we can find a way to save it.  This is Tulsa.  We can do this!

Please visit the other sections of this website for more details on all aspects of the skyride. Still have questions? Please contact us.