I wasn't assuming it is negative, it IS negative.

I've moved on... where are you?

I've moved on... where are you?Aaaaaaaahhhh, not sure I believe you. I'm gonna need proof. I want an extremely detailed map of where you where you were and where you are now using GPS tracking. ;)

Aaaaaaaahhhh, not sure I believe you. I'm gonna need proof. I want an extremely detailed map of where you where you were and where you are now using GPS tracking. ;)

When I posted that, I was at home but I'm at work now :p

12/1/2014

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7567/15301213244_5920e310ea_b.jpg

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8567/15735992668_0d27b1ec49_b.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7523/15735991318_0eb55b04ca_b.jpg

It's going to be so sweet when it's done.

A video update.

Oklahoma City MAPS 3 whitewater park project is taking shape (http://m.newsok.com/video/3946204416001)

From the Journal Record:

Flowing along: Huge hole means white-water facility is on track

By: Brian Brus The Journal Record December 22, 2014

OKLAHOMA CITY – It’s not the $35 million price ticket on the new white-water facility on the Oklahoma River that gives MAPS 3 Program Manager David Todd pause.

A new convention center across town will cost more than $280 million, so budgeting and scheduling isn’t a problem. City Hall has ably handled other expensive projects.

It’s the huge hole in the ground near the intersection of interstates 35 and 40, he said.

“When you go by the site near the interstate, it gives you a sense of just how big this is,” he said. “It certainly is a unique project, and there are only two others like this – separated from the river – in the United States. When you get down closer to the work site and you see the pump house, it puts everything in scale.”

The white-water facility is funded under the $777 million MAPS 3 temporary sales tax approved by voters for projects including a new convention center, central park and aquatic wellness centers. The Oklahoma City course is being modeled after the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, which also employs a self-circulating system. S2O Design and Engineering representative Jeffrey Gustin said the water used in the rapids will not come from the nearby Oklahoma River. The company has also refined its design and installation processes with work on venues for the London Olympic Games.

The project promises to be the most sophisticated artificial white-water course in the nation, Gustin said, appropriate for leisure use and more serious athletic training. S2O expects freestyle competitive events and group adventure races, for example. The facility will also include meeting space and a restaurant.

The project is still on schedule to be completed by the end of 2015, Gustin said, in time to host the 2016 Olympic canoe and kayak trials. It took about seven months to properly move and compact the earth for work. The 50- to 80-person construction crew under Charles P. Crowley Co. is expected to begin pouring about 300 feet of channel by the end of January. Walls are being built for the two-story pump station.

S2O is based in Lyons, Colorado, but Gustin has been assigned to Oklahoma City through the bulk of the work. He said that although the local construction company has talented people equal to the task, it is still the first time they’ve been asked to build this particular type of facility.

Elizabeth Laurent, spokeswoman for the boathouse district where the facility is being built, said the work by S2O and Crowley hasn’t disrupted visitor traffic because the 11-acre construction site is at the east end of the district.

The white-water center is unique to the city, but it’s not entirely dissimilar to a water utilities project involving large hydraulics, Todd said. In that sense, it’s like a storm sewer project, he said. And S2O built a scale model earlier to prove the water flow design.

What did they do with the bell tower that was located on the southeastern corner of the whitewater site? Will it be placed somewhere else on the river?

From https://twitter.com/Maps3:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B7aWWgUCEAA07vo.jpg:large

I can not see the picture in Pete's post, so it may be this, but pre-dawn today, they had the concrete flowing. Spot lights and a big concrete pumping boom in the air.

This is such an awesome project.

So cool for OKC and the state.

What did they do with the bell tower that was located on the southeastern corner of the whitewater site? Will it be placed somewhere else on the river?

It is still in the process of being moved to somewhere around Hobie Point at Lake Hefner.

Flew near it this morning with the drone and took some pics/video.....

10198

That is amazing! Thanks so much.


I'm really excited to see the UCO boathouse done and lit up and then an amazing drone shot would be from the south side of the river at dusk, with Boathouse Row all lit up and the skyline in the background.

I really think this will become OKC's signature view, as it will be completely unique and identifiable.

This is the general view I had in mind:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/signature1.jpg

One more....

10201

Flew near it this morning with the drone and took some pics/video.....

10198

Mind sharing what model drone you have?

One more....

10201

Nice! What drone are you using?

Mind sharing what model drone you have?

I went with the hurd and got the Phantom 2 Vision+ (probably the most popular drone maker right now)

Was going to get their Inspire model, but a friend who custom builds drones said to go with the Vision+ and wait for the next version of the Inspire.

If I get to where I feel confident enough I may go with a custom built drone. Waiting to see what the FAA ever decides to do on regulations.

A 21st Century Downtown Recreational Amusement Park Under Construction | News OK (http://newsok.com/a-21st-century-downtown-recreational-amusement-park-under-construction/article/5393785)

This is the general view I had in mind:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/signature1.jpg

You forgot the Bricktown towers.... :-P

You better not be making fun of that. It's happening and you don't even know.

i should be out there next week to get some pics of some piping being installed in the pump station (weather permitting)

You forgot the Bricktown towers.... :-P

I like the looks of the DT in this picture and excited about the WW facility. What looks absolutely awful though the the lack of trees and landscaping along this river. I think this is something that must be addressed and money needs to be spent in this area. I mean all these projects look great but the place looks dreadful without any trees and vegetation. Surely something can be done to line this river and area with trees. I've always been a big fan of Banana trees that are hardy and can survive winter and they look like Palms. Mix in some of those with other types that grow fast because this is beyond awful to look at. How can this be addressed and who would be the people talk to? Same thing with BT, along the canal, it needs landscape and vegetation. Trees need to be down there and like I said, Banana Trees would be great because they don't shed leaves and look somewhat tropical.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/signature1.jpg

I don't know that Banana Trees are a good fit for the landscape. Trees definately and would be nice if we had mature trees along the canal as well. but I would think most people seeing a banana tree in Oklahoma by the river or canal would be WTF?

I can see your point. I meant some sprinkled in, not all Banana Trees. I do think they would look amazing along the canal in BT though. They can survive the winter and measures will only have to be taken to protect the roots when it gets below 0. Can you imagine the boats going down the river and having some of those and other trees. At night, they should do some awesome lighting features on the trees where it is lit up, sort of like what they do at the Riverwalk in San Antonio. The tourists need to feel that extra special feeling that this place is awesome and want to return.

You'd have to dig them up every year. I have Banana trees. Hopefully they stick with native plants.

Posted yesterday on the OKC YouTube channel:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb1-SG6ZDvs

Thanks to pahdz for these great photos:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/whitewater061915a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/whitewater061915b.jpg

That building is ever bit as large if not larger than the boathouses.

Taken during the Stars and Stripes festival on Saturday.
11015

I have a feeling that this thing is going to be a huge hit.

I have a feeling that this thing is going to be a huge hit.

Probably make Dallas and KC jealous.......don't ya think lol

Most recent flyover of the construction


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7P01SN2RHU&feature=youtu.be

Man this thing is going to be so awesome!

For some reason I am just now realizing just how huge this thing is.

Can confirm. Was in town this weekend for a wedding and passed this with a buddy of mine from Tulsa (but now in Dallas) riding in the car.

His comment: "Man, that mall they are building off the side of the highway is going to be huge, but its kinda in an odd place, don't you think?"

You really don't know how big it is until you are on site. I've been able to walk down in one of the channels and it's freaking massive. The drone flyover doesn't give it's size justice.

^That's incredible because in the flyover it looks massive.

Well the workers look like ants in the drone footage, so that right there tells you how massive it is.

From Brian Brus at the Journal Record.


Getting their feet wet: Boathouse officials plan prices for whitewater facility
By Brian Brus
The Journal Record

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation has been working out pricing and a marketing plan in preparation for the opening of a new whitewater rapid facility at the Oklahoma River, officials said.

Executive Director Mike Knopp said the challenge has been finding something similar for comparison.
“We benchmarked a lot of different places, even the skiing industry,” Knopp said. “We’re going to offer a lot of opportunities and price points that will tie into other activities, such as the zip line and skytrail. For the kind of experience people are going to receive, it will be a tremendous value.

“We’re promoting this as a healthy lifestyle attraction, and we believe people will keep coming back,” he said. “We’re not a theme park, but for comparison we also looked at the prices people pay to get into a park. I think our pricing is in a spot that will make this very accessible.”

The facility is funded under the $777 million MAPS 3 temporary sales tax approved by voters for projects including a new convention center, central park and aquatic wellness centers. The self-circulating Oklahoma City course is being modeled after the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

S2O Design and Engineering representative Jeffrey Gustin confirmed a tour of the center’s progress is scheduled Tuesday for the Oklahoma River subcommittee of the MAPS 3 Citizens Advisory Board. Gustin said the project is still on budget with a completion target of April 1, just in time to host the 2016 Olympic canoe and kayak trials.

The project is part of $57 million in improvements along the river to include stadium lighting, windscreens and landscaping. City Hall officials initially said the facility would cost no more than $23.8 million, but bids in mid-2014 came in well above that.

After reassessing project parameters, the oversight committee adjusted the budget so S2O could begin work, and in July this year they agreed to other minor adjustments to bring the company’s contract to $31.7 million. The only other major course correction has been an extension of 13 days because of heavy rains in February and March.

Knopp said his organization will begin selling season passes during an upcoming VIP regatta event and in time for Christmas gifts. So-called founders’ passes will be sold first with the benefit of sponsor naming sites at the facility. He said mass media marketing will follow, with ties to the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics.

Gustin and Knopp complimented the Oklahoma City Rotary Club for a $275,000 donation to build a stage at water’s edge for musicians and special presentations, which will also help to attract visitors.
“We certainly want people to think this will be something cool to do,” he said. “There is no other city in America that offers this kind of experience in their downtown area. It’s unique and very accessible to the entire community.”

MAPS 3 Program Manager David Todd said the whitewater facility may seem to be an unusual operation for the city to maintain, but it’s not much different from the downtown sports arena, convention center, park or golf courses.

“We’re promoting this as a healthy lifestyle attraction, and we believe people will keep coming back,” he said. “We’re not a theme park, but for comparison we also looked at the prices people pay to get into a park. I think our pricing is in a spot that will make this very accessible.”


http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BlXVM-4Nemg/hqdefault.jpg
Got an opportunity to see this massive edifice under construction.

Simply Awesome!

Besides Bricktown & the Zoo along with museums (Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Oklahoma History Center & National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum) and the yet to be completed American Indian Cultural Center and Museum; the OKC Riversports Rapids should add to our tourism portfolio.

That is a nice tourism portfolio that the city should promote more of:

Bricktown: Ballpark, Canal, Restaurants, Bars & Entertainment, Shopping (need more of this)
Automobile Alley: Exclusive Restaurants, Urban Shopping, Entertainment (need more of this)
Film Row: Visual Performing Arts, Exclusive Bars & Entertainment, Restaurants (need more of this)
Arts District: Performing Arts (I'd love to see more theatres), Museums (I'd love to see more museums)
CBD: Myriad Gardens, Chesapeake Arena, Exclusive Restaurants, Exclusive Shopping (need more of this!!! especially Park Avenue boutiques)
Deep Deuce: urban Entertainment & Restaurants
Midtown: urban Entertainment & Restaurants, urban shopping (need more of this)
Plaza District: urban Entertainment, Restaurants, Bars, Shopping
Uptown: Urban Entertainment, Bars, Restaurants
Asian District: Restaurants, Shopping
Adventure District: Best Museums, Zoo, NEED ENTERTAINMENT!!!
Western Avenue: Restaurants, Shopping
Capitol Hill: Restaurants, Shopping, Entertainment
RiverSports District: Destination Entertainment, Amusement Parks, Destination Museum (to come)
Classen/Penn/Western/50th/63rd: High End Shopping, Restaurants, Entertainment
39th Street: Urban Entertainment, Restaurants, Shopping (need more of all three)

more?

The more promotion the better, but locals (and yes, I know you are in Seattle) probably don't understand fully how much promotion is ALREADY done for OKC tourism by the CVB and others. The reason you don't see it here should be obvious; it's targeted to out-of-town markets.

Pumps are 'heart and soul' of MAPS 3 whitewater park | News OK (http://newsok.com/pumps-are-heart-and-soul-of-maps-3-whitewater-park/article/5455444)

Pumps are 'heart and soul' of MAPS 3 whitewater park | News OK (http://newsok.com/pumps-are-heart-and-soul-of-maps-3-whitewater-park/article/5455444)

"It is expected to be ready by mid-March, in time to host 2016 U.S. Olympic trials in paddle sports including kayak." So looks like they are going to be about 2 months late, IIRC.

"It is expected to be ready by mid-March, in time to host 2016 U.S. Olympic trials in paddle sports including kayak." So looks like they are going to be about 2 months late, IIRC.

I am pretty sure recently in either one of the MAPS meetings or an interview someone in the public works department stated parts should start be completed a couple months before March (at least enough for staff training, since the channels were one of the few items listed a possibly early completion), which given that this is pretty much multiple independent projects that happen to be in near proximity of each other seems totally plausible. Though they did not say what would be the laggards of the project, my guess is landscaping and the main build's interior.

duplicate post

Steve's update.

http://www.oklahoman.com/article/5467834?embargo_redirect=yes


The Oklahoma River is set to enjoy a moment in the national spotlight in May as the opening of its newest attraction, Riversport Rapids, is set to coincide with a stop by the Olympic “Road to Rio” and youth rowing championship races.

The festivities are expected to draw up to 50,000 people and are part of an ongoing transformation that Mike Knopp has overseen since the Chesapeake Boathouse was the first venue to open along the river in 2006. Year after year, the area has expanded, morphing from a ditch derided as the city's worst eyesore to a model for a 21st century recreational amusement park.

With that partnership well developed, having a whitewater venue that is comparable to the one being built in Rio was a big boost to getting listed with New York City, Indianapolis, Chicago and Los Angeles. To put the “Road to Rio” in perspective, it starts in Times Square and then hits Oklahoma City on May 6-8.

Steve's update.

http://www.oklahoman.com/article/5467834?embargo_redirect=yes

I'm doing the math on this and I'm guessing they're going to have around 4-5 weeks after this is finished to test this whole thing out. Being that it is olympic related, you would think they would want way more time to break it in and get rid of the kinks and problems. They're delaying the opening of the fairgrounds building and that was just over some faulty paint. hope it goes well though because I'm moving back to OKC in March and would love to see it.

I'm doing the math on this and I'm guessing they're going to have around 4-5 weeks after this is finished to test this whole thing out. Being that it is olympic related, you would think they would want way more time to break it in and get rid of the kinks and problems. They're delaying the opening of the fairgrounds building and that was just over some faulty paint. hope it goes well though because I'm moving back to OKC in March and would love to see it.

(I could not access the article due to the paywall, so he may have addressed this with newer info)

The the earliest timelines after the bids went out they were hoping for closer to three months between end of construction and the event, there could easily have been some construction setbacks with how many parts this thing has. At one point it sounded like the course channels were going to be up and running for internal staff training at least a few weeks before the entire grounds and buildings would be complete and opened to the public, so if that was the latest construction completion date or public opening they may still have longer to test out the core systems needed for the event.

I've had several meetings with Riversport folks recently. It will be ready.

Just took these:



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ww122015a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ww122015b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ww122015c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ww122015d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ww122015e.jpg

Pete what time were you down there today? I was also down there snapping photos I got up close to the Slide Construction. 11962119611196311964

Pete what time were you down there today? I was also down there snapping photos I got up close to the Slide Construction. 11962119611196311964

I took these photo holding my camera above the construction fences. You can practically walk right next to the construction site. Do note there is areas the fence has been removed and you can freely walk into the construction zone. If you do that is dangerous and would be classified as trespassing.

With these facilities, you can truly say that OKC has something that most cities don't.

This area is fantastic.

With these facilities, you can truly say that OKC has something that most cities don't.

This area is fantastic.

Good point!

The location of the Riversport Rapids (Dallas Junction: I-35/I-40 interchange) is ideal as it can be seen from I-35. Just impressed with the development on the Oklahoma River. This has a lot of potential as not just only an Olympic training venue; but a top tourist attraction. Really feel that you will see that whole area turn into a tourist mecca for OKC.

I was thinking that - this may easily make Dallas and KC Jealous after all!

With these facilities, you can truly say that OKC has something that most cities don't.

This area is fantastic.

I agree this is definitely a unique attraction that should continue to grow.