Sawyer Center - SNU

- 6401 NW 39th Expy, Bethany, OK 73008

Introduction / Overview

For many local residents in the Bethany and greater Oklahoma City area, the Sawyer Center at Southern Nazarene University (SNU) is a vital regional hub for athletics, fitness, and large-scale community events. While some visitors admit that its exterior might suggest a typical office building, stepping inside reveals a vastly different and modern reality: a premier, multi-purpose gymnasium and athletic complex that is consistently described as “shockingly nice” and highly functional.

The Sawyer Center is the official home of the SNU Crimson Storm basketball and volleyball teams, with a capacity to seat over 5,000 spectators for major events. However, its utility extends far beyond collegiate sports. It regularly hosts significant local events, including high school state tournaments, large community gatherings like volleyball sign-ups (as noted by customers), and even professional events such as IBJJF Opens. Its well-organized structure has even made it a temporary practice facility for professional NBA teams, including the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets and the Oklahoma City Thunder, cementing its status as a top-tier sports venue in Oklahoma.

Beyond its use as an event space, the facility functions as a fully-equipped Gym and fitness center, complete with extensive workout equipment and a truly outstanding feature—an indoor running track. Local users who have access to this facility often highlight the high quality and abundance of cardio and strength equipment available throughout the building. The Sawyer Center truly offers a comprehensive fitness solution, often surprising first-time visitors with its scale and quality, making it an invaluable resource for the Bethany community and those affiliated with the university.

Location and Accessibility

The Sawyer Center is conveniently situated in Bethany, Oklahoma, making it easily reachable from various parts of the Oklahoma City metropolitan area via major expressways.

The precise address for this dynamic sports and fitness venue is:

6401 NW 39th Expy, Bethany, OK 73008, USA

Located directly on the Northwest 39th Expressway, the facility benefits from high visibility and straightforward access. Visitors attending major events, such as sports tournaments, generally find “easy(ish) to find parking”, often utilizing the large lot on the north side of the building for the main entrance.

Crucially, the Sawyer Center demonstrates a clear commitment to accommodating all visitors and users, meeting high standards for universal access.

• The facility is equipped with a Wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring smooth entry into the main building.
• Designated Wheelchair accessible parking lot spaces are provided for convenient access directly to the building.
• Inside, Wheelchair accessible restroom facilities are available, ensuring comfort and convenience for all attendees and users during workouts or large events.

Services Offered

As a major athletic and fitness facility, the Sawyer Center provides a range of services that support both high-level sports events and daily fitness routines for its users.

• Fitness Center: Houses a significant amount of cardio equipment and strength training machines available to users, often described as well-stocked and well-maintained.
• Indoor Running Track: Features a second-floor, Mondo-synthetic indoor running track that circles the gymnasium area, offering a climate-controlled space for running and walking regardless of Oklahoma weather.
• Main Arena/Gymnasium: The primary Basketball court and arena seating 5,000 is used for collegiate games, major tournaments, and various community events like graduation ceremonies and sports camps.
• Event Hosting: The center regularly hosts major competitive events, from local club sign-ups and high school tournaments to large-scale martial arts events (IBJJF Opens), making it a significant regional venue.
• Restroom Facilities: Clean and well-maintained Restroom amenities are available throughout the center, catering to both daily users and large event crowds.
• Financial Convenience: The facility or event vendors support modern payment methods, including major Credit cards and Debit cards.

Features / Highlights

The Sawyer Center’s highlights revolve around its unexpected quality and impressive scale, particularly its fitness and athletic infrastructure.

• State-of-the-Art Indoor Track: The indoor running track on the second floor is a major selling point. It provides a dedicated, weather-independent space for runners—a rare and highly valued feature in local gym facilities.
• Abundant Cardio and Strength Equipment: The quantity and quality of fitness equipment, spread across the building, are consistently praised by visitors, ensuring minimal wait times and a varied workout experience for users with access.
• Professional-Grade Venue: Having served as a practice facility for NBA teams and a host for national sports championships, the building maintains a high standard of maintenance and functionality suitable for professional-level use. This is reflected in the spacious interior, ample seating, and ease of navigation noted during events.
• Excellent Community Event Seating: With a capacity of over 5,000, the main arena ensures that major local events, high school championships, and collegiate sports can be hosted successfully, with plenty of seating for spectators.
• High Accessibility Standards: The facility’s commitment to providing Wheelchair accessible entrance, parking, and restrooms ensures that the Sawyer Center is a welcoming and inclusive space for all members of the Bethany and OKC community.

Contact Information

For more details regarding facility access, membership, or hosting an event at this premier Bethany athletic center, please use the following contact information.

Address: 6401 NW 39th Expy, Bethany, OK 73008, USA

Phone: (405) 789-6400

Mobile Phone: +1 405-789-6400

What is worth choosing

For members of the Southern Nazarene University community, or local residents with access privileges, the Sawyer Center represents an exceptional and underutilized fitness opportunity that is absolutely worth choosing.

The primary appeal lies in the sheer quality and specific features of the facility, which far exceed its external appearance. As one customer noted, those who have access to this gym/track should definitely be using it. The highlight is undoubtedly the very nice indoor running track on the second floor, which is an incredible asset for year-round fitness training, regardless of Oklahoma’s weather conditions. This, combined with a good amount of cardio equipment all throughout the building, ensures a varied and effective workout environment.

Furthermore, its role as a regional sports complex means the facility is maintained at a high standard, capable of comfortably handling large crowds and major tournaments. If you are a coach, a parent involved in youth sports, or an organizer of a large event, the ample seating, accessible features (wheelchair accessible parking and restrooms), and well-managed event space make it an ideal choice. For a local user seeking a comprehensive gym with elite-level features like a dedicated indoor track and a spacious main gymnasium, the Sawyer Center offers a fantastic value and quality proposition in the Bethany area.

Sawyer Center - SNU

6401 NW 39th Expy, Bethany, OK 73008, USA