A number of exciting spring events at FireLake facilities are highlighting the Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s growing investment in tourism, sports and community development across south central Oklahoma.
FireLake Arena recently hosted Shawnee High School graduation, one of seven commencement ceremonies held there in May, underscoring how the Nation’s venues serve both local residents and out-of-town visitors.
That impact was especially visible with parking lots filled almost to capacity with the NJCAA South Central District Tournament, held May 13 through 17 at the FireLake Ball Fields.
Junior college teams from across Oklahoma competed on Field 9, while youth softball teams competed on fields 1 through 8 all weekend. Many players, coaches and families stayed at the nearby FireLake Hotel.
“Our new developments, including the fields, support our long-term goals of expanding tourism and services in Shawnee and across south central Oklahoma,” said Planning, Design and Engineering Director David Oman. “Traveling teams are able to stay at the FireLake Hotel during their visits and support other local businesses and restaurants.”
There are several projects currently underway for the Nation, including a new FireLake Discount Foods location in Asher and future projects planned in Choctaw and near the FireLake Hotel and FireLake Casino in Shawnee.
Among the largest of those developments is a new championship softball stadium under construction at the FireLake Ball Fields in Shawnee. The Citizen Potawatomi Nation is expanding its sports and tourism offerings with the stand-alone stadium, which will seat up to 4,100 fans, making it one of the largest softball venues in Oklahoma. The field is being built to NCAA Division I standards and will feature a 24-by-32 digital scoreboard. The project is expected to be completed in early 2027, with tournaments likely to start later that year.
“The ultimate goal is to become a premier host for softball,” said FireLake Ball Fields Director Kelly Reavis.
The addition further expands the FireLake Softball complex, which now includes 10 synthetic turf fields used year-round for amateur, high school and collegiate play. Fields 5 through 10 opened in 2025, increasing the site’s capacity to host larger tournaments and multi-day events.