So how will this course compare to the one in Charlotte, say? (I know to some on this board it won't hold a candle, because it's in Charlotte of course!!) But just thought I'd ask since that's really the only other one I know what to compare ours to. And I know there are renderings, but if anyone has some inside scoop on what they hope is the finished product. I mean there are very few facilities like this in the country, so this will be a pretty big deal if it is well executed.

The one in Charlotte is very nice, but it is a total different environment than what will be in OKC. It is on the edge of the city (right off of the outside loop) and along a major river. It would be a similar environment if they decided to place this up in the Adventure District. I see a lot of benefits to both. Being in a more suburban/rural area gives you the natural isolation that can be more serene, but being in the center of the city has a lot of benefits as well. It won't be as forested or natural, but the urban feel will be distinct and cool in its own. Also, since this is nearly downtown, it will be a lot easier for visitors to access and have the ability to be even a bigger attraction than the one in Charlotte.

I believe OKC's location alone will make it more a success than Charlotte's. Like was said, not as scenic, but I think that location in Charlotte has been a hinderance to it's success.

I believe OKC's location alone will make it more a success than Charlotte's. Like was said, not as scenic, but I think that location in Charlotte has been a hinderance to it's success.

Nothing can be more successful here than in Charlotte. Come on, Brad.

Nothing can be more successful here than in Charlotte. Come on, Brad.

Lol

Nothing can be more successful here than in Charlotte. Come on, Brad.

My bad...and watch out if Little Rock puts one in, it'll be way better than ours.

Wait...how did you get your name on that line?

Wait...how did you get your name on that line?

I think Pete did it after there was a discussion in the thread Sid started about using real names.

My bad...and watch out if Little Rock puts one in, it'll be way better than ours.

+1

IIRC, this was supposedly moved ahead of the streetcar on the timeline because "it will generate more economic development than the streetcar". I was pretty dumbfounded when I heard that in the ADG presentation, but since it does help us expand our Olympic training capabilities and is a relatively small piece of the MAPS pie I'm fine with it.

Wait...how did you get your name on that line?

http://www.okctalk.com/current-events-open-topic/35804-real-names-okctalk.html

My bad...and watch out if Little Rock puts one in, it'll be way better than ours.

Tulsa is adding a white water course to its gathering place park as well. I haven't seen the renderings yet but have no doubt it will be better than ours and will be competed first regardless of when construction starts here. I've also heard rumors that it will be the center piece of a development including the state's first Costco, Trader Joes, Norstrom, and Niemen Marcus...

Kansas City still has the tallest water slide now.

POV of World's Tallest water slide - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urlhCNxeTgs)

It looks like it was built in a mud pit though.

Your move OKC.......

Tulsa is adding a white water course to its gathering place park as well. I haven't seen the renderings yet but have no doubt it will be better than ours and will be competed first regardless of when construction starts here. I've also heard rumors that it will be the center piece of a development including the state's first Costco, Trader Joes, Norstrom, and Niemen Marcus...

I really lol'd at that one.

I really lol'd at that one.

Me too!

The one in Charlotte is very nice, but it is a total different environment than what will be in OKC. It is on the edge of the city (right off of the outside loop) and along a major river. It would be a similar environment if they decided to place this up in the Adventure District. I see a lot of benefits to both. Being in a more suburban/rural area gives you the natural isolation that can be more serene, but being in the center of the city has a lot of benefits as well. It won't be as forested or natural, but the urban feel will be distinct and cool in its own. Also, since this is nearly downtown, it will be a lot easier for visitors to access and have the ability to be even a bigger attraction than the one in Charlotte.

Alright, thanks. What about from a technical point of view? Do we know if it will include all of the same types of course elements and features that Charlotte has? And finally, do we know what the facility will be called? I, too, am VERY excited about this project and will earn us some serious...creek cred with paddlers, I think.

It was designed by the same group, several years later, with more advanced tools. Stands to reason it will be a better facility. Charlotte's is still under tremendous debt load. Ours will be paid for. I think it will be a far more successful facility.

Just imagine the amount of traffic passing by on 35 and 40 that will be able to see this, and be amazed, and will want to make a scheduled trip to OKC just for this.

it's going to be awesome

It was designed by the same group, several years later, with more advanced tools. Stands to reason it will be a better facility. Charlotte's is still under tremendous debt load. Ours will be paid for. I think it will be a far more successful facility.

Thanks, great to know that it is the same design group. I hope they include some good observation points along the course to be able to watch paddlers do their thing on the water.

Kansas City still has the tallest water slide now.

POV of World's Tallest water slide - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urlhCNxeTgs)

It looks like it was built in a mud pit though.

Your move OKC.......

That video is hilarious.

Just imagine the amount of traffic passing by on 35 and 40 that will be able to see this, and be amazed, and will want to make a scheduled trip to OKC just for this.

it's going to be awesome

...and isn't there possible "large hotel" looking to locate in the adjacent area ?

Here is an update on this project from May 22nd:


The solicitation of competitive construction bids for the MAPS 3 whitewater center
is pending only the resolution of a Corps/FEMA approval. Staff anticipates formal
approval will be received within the next 60 days.

Approved by the council today!


OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma City Council approved final plans for the public whitewater facility being built as part of MAPS 3 Tuesday. Once complete, the facility will offer rafting, kayaking and canoeing for all skill levels.
Construction on the whitewater facility is expected to begin this fall and will take approximately 15 months to complete. It will be built on the north side of the Oklahoma River at the east end of the Boathouse District.

"The 11-acre whitewater facility will be a world-class aquatic adventure venue designed for family fun, community health and wellness, major events and training for Olympic Hopefuls," said Mike Knopp, executive director for the Boathouse Foundation. "This facility will complement the world-class boathouses and RIVERSPORT Adventure attractions to create a one-of-a-kind urban outdoor experience. Where else can you walk from a thriving entertainment district and go on a whitewater rafting adventure at one of the premier venues of its kind in the world?"

The MAPS 3 budget for the whitewater facility is $33 million ($23.8 million is the construction budget). An additional $24 million in MAPS 3 funds are being invested in racecourse lighting, windscreens, starting systems and other racecourse improvements.

- Council Approves Plans For The MAPS 3 Whitewater Facility - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/25743343/council-approves-plans-for-the-maps-3-whitewater-facility)

*like*

It's about as close to river rafting as you're gonna get in Oklahoma, so I'm excited!

This will be the first true 'regional destination' draw that OKC will have. Especailly for 8 months out of the year.

Make sure you don't read the comments on all the news sites about this project.

Holy crap, no kidding.

Make sure you don't read the comments on all the news sites about this project.

You tend to forget how many idiots read the news paper, etc... Thank god we have online versions to put that in focus :D

Where else can you walk from a thriving entertainment district and go on a whitewater rafting adventure at one of the premier venues of its kind in the world?

Just curious, can you actually walk there from Bricktown? I mean, yes you can walk anywhere but is pedestrian infrastructure in place and open the whole way?

Just curious, can you actually walk there from Bricktown? I mean, yes you can walk anywhere but is pedestrian infrastructure in place and open the whole way?

If you follow the canal all the way down, yes. Actually, a quite pleasant trip.

Just curious, can you actually walk there from Bricktown? I mean, yes you can walk anywhere but is pedestrian infrastructure in place and open the whole way?

You bring up a decent point. I noticed this weekend just what an absolute clusterf*** that whole highway/boulevard/Lincoln interchange has become. My god they've taken up a ridiculous amount of land and it's still a righteous pain in the ass to navigate. It's unreal. ODOT has really screwed this area up with all their work.

Just curious, can you actually walk there from Bricktown? I mean, yes you can walk anywhere but is pedestrian infrastructure in place and open the whole way?
Once the Union Pacific underpass debacle is resolved, I believe the answer will be yes.

Yes it is. I walked it a few times before this Union Pacific issue arose. I believe it is one of the most important connections in all of OKC and I think the area between the boathouse district & lower bricktown is set to become one of the biggest developments hotbeds in the entire city.

Make sure you don't read the comments on all the news sites about this project.

Lemme guess...

"Why are we wasting money on this when our schools have no money?!?!? Blah blah blah."

Lemme guess...

"Why are we wasting money on this when our schools have no money?!?!? Blah blah blah."

Bingo.

Once the UP thing is open (though you can do it now "on the sly"), yes, it's a pleasant walk all the way to CPK boathouse, and if you use the river side sidewalks/paths, then you can get all the way down to anywhere, and presumably eventually the whitewater area. However, if you decide to leave the trail where the stairs are at Regatta park, then you end up at the intersection of Lincoln and SE 6th. This is not a pleasant area to cross in general. There are no crosswalks, fast moving traffic when there is traffic, and no sidewalks at first, and definitely no sidewalks over to where the whitewater stuff will be, though hopefully that will all get rectified on the soonish side. Just wanted to say that it's getting there but still needs some work. Where the pedestrian access is tragic is between Bricktown/DD from Reno. Really hope that's addressed soon as well.

So you get to the boat basin, but what pedestrian infrastructure is in place from there to the whitewater course (or any of the other attractions for that matter)? There are no sidewalks from the boat basin to anything else. There is not even a marked crosswalk on Lincoln.

So you get to the boat basin, but what pedestrian infrastructure is in place from there to the whitewater course? There are no sidewalks from the boat basin to anything else. There is not even a marked crosswalk on Lincoln.
JTF, for now, it's up to the pedestrian to figure that part out for themselves. If you want to complain about that not being in place, type an email up to the city.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S5

There are sidewalks along the river itself all the way to where the whitewater thing will be. But yeah, no crosswalk, like I already said.

JTF, for now, it's up to the pedestrian to figure that part out for themselves.

:doh:

So you get to the boat basin, but what pedestrian infrastructure is in place from there to the whitewater course (or any of the other attractions for that matter)? There are no sidewalks from the boat basin to anything else. There is not even a marked crosswalk on Lincoln.

You can walk on a sidewalk under Lincoln next to the river.

Looking at the 10th picture in the portfolio, it looks as if there will be a sidewalk all the way to the whitewater facility, just won't be built before the WW facility is, probably.

If I'm in the area for leisure, I take the river path to the Boathouse District. If I'm just trying to get there as quickly as possible, then it's across Lincoln I go. The biggest issue there is not that there isn't a crosswalk, though there definitely needs to be one. More pressing is Lincoln is over-engineered there. It's never carrying much traffic, but those cars driving on it are swooping through the area. That would be a great place to introduce a tree-lined median, a crosswalk/pedestrian island, and yield signs. Just the number of children I see in that area alone should make that change a priority, saying nothing of the improved flow it would provide.

I could walk to that area with my kayak on a two wheel cart I suppose. (in the marked kayak portage lane?) Not sure if they will let me put my kayak on a bus to get it within easy walking distance though.

Yep. Some people will use the facility's boats, and some won't. I usually drive, most of the time pulling a trailer.

Good point though.

The biggest issue there is not that there isn't a crosswalk, though there definitely needs to be one.

The big issue for me is public officials saying we have pedestrian oriented infrastructure from point A to point B - when we don't. It seems public officials now 'get it', but they don't know what it is that they got. Walkability isn't buzz words - it's pedestrian infrastructure on the ground coupled with appropriate land-use.

Anyhow, you are right boitoirich, for an area being setup as an amusement/entertainment area they sure went out of their way to make sure cars can get through it quickly.

It's about as close to river rafting as you're gonna get in Oklahoma, so I'm excited!

Not after a good rain. Lots of great boating in the SE Okla mountains.

It's about as close to river rafting as you're gonna get in Oklahoma, so I'm excited!

Close? From the planning documents and other renderings I am pretty sure that they will have rafts available in addition to the kayaks.

I'm talking 10 person rifer white water rafting. I'm not as big of a fan of the smaller type stuff like kayaks and whatnot, but if that's what we're gonna have, then i'll make the best of it. It will be nice to be in water that's not snow melt for a change...not nearly as bone chilling cold LOL.

I'm talking 10 person rifer white water rafting. I'm not as big of a fan of the smaller type stuff like kayaks and whatnot, but if that's what we're gonna have, then i'll make the best of it. It will be nice to be in water that's not snow melt for a change...not nearly as bone chilling cold LOL.

Here is a rendering with both, the rafts are the blue things on the right edge of the course, a couple kayaks are shown in yellow at various stages of finishing the course. If I remember correctly the building where all the rafts are parked is where they are stored & the building at the top of the picture (far east) is the where at least the really nice kayaks are stored, there might be some starter ones with the rafts.

http://boathousedistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Whitewater_12.3.13_image.jpg

Let's add an ramp somewhere so you have to tip over too....or at least almost tip. It's not a good raft trip unless you all get dumped or get so close to dumping that you're all standing up to one side to keep it from tipping!!!!

What are the two white structures on the right side of the foreground? Are those new boathouses?

What are the two white structures on the right side of the foreground? Are those new boathouses?

The one attached to the WWF will get built with the WWF I think. The one at the very bottom is the future OU Boathouse.

The one attached to the WWF will get built with the WWF I think. The one at the very bottom is the future OU Boathouse.

WWF? Is someone starting a wrestling league down there? Haha


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

WWF? Is someone starting a wrestling league down there? Haha


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hahaha

The one attached to the WWF will get built with the WWF I think. The one at the very bottom is the future OU Boathouse.

Do you know if it's planned to just be a general boathouse? General in that it's not dedicated to any one school or anything, but just to be there for the WWF?

Do you know if it's planned to just be a general boathouse? General in that it's not dedicated to any one school or anything, but just to be there for the WWF?

It is not tied to any school and none of them have a team for that anyway (though OCU did add a sprint kayak team a couple years ago so they might do something similar when it opens). Though even with the Devon Boathouse's tie in to OCU it is not restricted to only their use, some of the memberships/passes include use of the facilities there and two of the rooms get rented out fairly often. A large portion of the first floor will be restaurant space and a equipment store so surely will be entirely public, most of the remainder is office space & locker rooms & bathrooms.

Is that a parking structure in the background of this photo? That would be nice, especially when they have large events taking place. Parking has been a nightmare in the past.

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6335d1390494800-whitewater-facility-whitewatermodel.jpg

Is that a parking structure in the background of this photo? That would be nice, especially when they have large events taking place. Parking has been a nightmare in the past.

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6335d1390494800-whitewater-facility-whitewatermodel.jpg

I think its just a placeholder.

If that is just a place holder then let me say cudos to whoever did it. It wasn't that long ago that any city produced rendering used single story house with garage doors facing the street as a place holder.

I remember asking Steve about that in a chat and he said it would be for parking, a restaurant or two, office space, meeting space and locker rooms. I asked that in March of last year. I am not sure how much the plan has changed since then. He has hinted at Great Wolf Lodge or something like it to be built along the river, possibly on that site, but maybe somewhere else along the river. Maybe on the DT Airpark region?