This could be one of the biggest things to ever to happen to OKC:

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Huge news: OKC may host Summer Olympic events

The Los Angeles 2028 Organizing Committee is considering moving the Games' canoe slalom events to the Riversport Rapids Whitewater Center in Oklahoma City.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/riversport060423c.jpg


Riversport Rapids was built south of downtown along the Oklahoma River as part of the sales-tax-funded MAPS 3 initiative and has seen several improvements since opening in 2019. It is an established site for the sport and is selected as the host for the International Canoe Federation (ICF) World Canoe Slalom Championships in 2026. It has also hosted the ICF Canoe Sprint Super Cup in 2021 and 2022.

The neighboring OKC National High Performance Center is an official U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site and as such provides coaching, training facilities, and financial support for elite American rowing, kayak, and canoe athletes.

Now, according to a recent report from the ICF, Oklahoma has an excellent chance to host at least six events as part of the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games.

Due to the expense of hosting the Olympics, the International Olympic Committee voted in 2019 to allow multi-city and multi-country bids to help defray costs. As a result, the 2026 Winter Olympics will be split between Milan and Cortina d'Apezzo in Italy.

Although Los Angeles has hosted the Summer Games as recently as 1984 and they will be making use of multiple existing stadiums and arenas, the LA28 committee is still expecting to spend nearly $7 billion to host in 2028. The 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro was reported to have experienced a net loss of over $2 billion.

California does not have an existing whitewater facility and the preliminary plan was to build an estimated $100 million temporary site in order to accommodate the canoe slalom events (previously known as whitewater slalom) that have been part of the Games since 1972.

According to the ICF, only two cities in the U.S. have existing facilities that would meet the necessary standards: Oklahoma City and Charlotte, North Carolina.

In a report last fall, the ICF specifically mentioned Oklahoma as a likely candidate to host canoe slalom, although an official announcement has yet to be made.

The 2028 Summer Games are scheduled for July 14-30 and the Paralympics for August 15-27.

The six slalom events are split equally between men and women with approximately 100 competing athletes. Europeans have traditionally dominated the sport but in recent years other countries have become more competitive. There is also the possibility Oklahoma City could host river-based Olympic sports such as rowing.

The Olympic spotlight would bring unprecedented international exposure to Oklahoma City and the state and bring a significant, direct economic impact.

In addition to the delegation of athletes, coaches, and officials, there would also be a large international media presence along with fans from all over the world.

For the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo, stands were erected to accommodate 7,500 fans at their whitewater facility. In 2024, the Paris venue will accommodate 12,000.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/olympics4.jpg
Tokyo Whitewater Facility


To date, only 3 U.S. Cities have hosted Summer Games: St. Louis in 1904, Los Angeles in 1932 and 1984, and Atlanta in 1996.

Cities typically need years to prepare for the Olympics. As part of the recent upgrades and expansion at Will Rogers Airport, a new customs area was added for international flights but there would be countless additional logistical considerations.

Final decisions on the entire sports program and associated venues for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games will be announced by the end of the year.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/olympics3.jpg


What is Canoe Slalom?
Canoe slalom features competitors navigating a whitewater course - up to 300 meters in length - by passing through a maximum 25 gates in as quick a time as possible.

There are boats of two types: kayaks with the athletes seated and employing a double-bladed paddle; and canoes, where the athlete is strapped into the boat in a kneeling position using a single-blade paddle.

New for Paris 2024 is extreme kayak where four athletes race against each other on a shortened course, rather than racing a clock.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/olympics2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/olympics6.jpg

I worded that article very carefully as this has been percolating for a while, but I have a high degree of confidence that this is going to happen.

It's really unbelievable if you think about it; almost too good to be true.

Holy smokes this would be awesome!

This is honestly kind of mindblowing and the fact that there's a decent chance it could happen is incredible. I'm really excited at what this could mean for the future trajectory of OKC!

Well, now our inept airport and inadequate air service will really be tested. Given 4 years, I'd have faith in most airports to get ready for it. But WRWA, it will be very tough.

But this would be great for the city and state! The benefits could be innumerable.

This would be amazing for the city, this is not something I would've imagined happening in my lifetime even if it isn't a large part of the total event count.

With OKANA being well-past opening by that point, I'm sure those in control of the Chickasaw Tribe's business ventures are licking their lips at the sound of this.

One of the many great things about an Olympics is it sets a very definite deadline to get crap done.

I know wheels have been turning behind the scenes for quite some time and all types of plans are in progress -- both related to the Olympics and otherwise -- but once there is an official announcement then everyone gets very focused in a big hurry.

This would be a catalyst for all types of things and you can bet your sweet bippy that the Dream Hotel project would kick into high gear.

Is it possible the I-35 bridges over the river could be fast tracked to be finished by 2028? Has ODOT ever done something like that?

Doesn't the Olympic committee provide funding for certain upgrades for infrastructure and facilities?

Is it possible the I-35 bridges over the river could be fast tracked to be finished by 2028? Has ODOT ever done something like that?

Yes, it's possible.

I'll have a follow-up story later in the week.

Doesn't the Olympic committee provide funding for certain upgrades for infrastructure and facilities?

The LA28 organizing committee handles all the expenses.

It's not known how much if any funding they would provide to OKC, but it's likely some money would come our way. But certainly, OKC will be paying a chunk as well.

Yes, it's possible.

I'll have a follow-up story later in the week.
Awesome! That’ll be great.

Have certain events ever been moved that far away from the main Olympic hosting city before? I don't think I've ever heard of that being done. Even the two cities mentioned in Italy are only 92 miles apart.

Have certain events ever been moved that far away from the main Olympic hosting city before? I don't think I've ever heard of that being done.

It wasn't possible until the IOC changed the rules in 2019.

They added that flexibility specifically for situations like this: even the biggest cities have to absorb massive expenses to build facilities that have little to no value after the 2-week Games are over.

It's getting harder for cities to make the Games work financially, so they added this alternative.

LA's initial plan was to build a temporary facility for close to $100 million and then immediately tear it down. Through this change, this type of wasteful expense can be avoided and the Games will have a brighter future with more cities bidding.

Well I guess we're closer than Charlotte. Still seems really strange.

Well I guess we're closer than Charlotte. Still seems really strange.

Charlotte was not considered for some reason.

It is strange but we should see more of this multiple-city arrangement in the future. For the same reasons, it's already happened in the World Cup and for the 2026 Winter Olympics, the events will happen in two separate Italian cities.

Most people don't realize how many facilities are needed. Even in freaking Los Angeles -- which unquestionably has more Olympic-sized pools than anywhere in the world (most Cali high schools have them), they are planning to build a temporary swim venue on top of the USC baseball field.

There is probably nothing more specialized that a whitewater facility, which is why there are only two of world-class caliber in the entire United States.

Well I guess we're closer than Charlotte. Still seems really strange.

It’s strange, but it is what it is. And they can easily add LA’s smog on the tv broadcast if they want to make it look more realistic.

Hope this happens.

Would be cool to be one of the first few cities used like this for future Olympic Games if they do begin to do this more often.

I wouldn't be surprised if we get a new hotel downtown with 400+ rooms out of all this. Omni can definitely capitalize on this, they could expand over the Boulevard Place plat, since those developers don't seem to have any movement.

WRWA will definitely need to add more connecting flights that Summer, since we don't have any direct international flights. Many people will probably fly in or drive from Dallas.

But they do have it on the master plan to add more gates, so this also might happen sooner than later.

Too bad MAPS 4 funds are already earmarked for specific projects. We could of use some of those funds for facility and infrastructure upgrades for the events. But the contingency funds can be used for pretty much whatever?

Too bad MAPS 4 funds are already earmarked for specific projects. We could of use some of those funds for facility and infrastructure upgrades for the events. But the contingency funds be used for pretty much whatever?

There is quite a bit of flexibility built into MAPS, but there would likely be other funding sources as well. The Convention and Visitors Bureau has a bunch of money and there are hotel taxes that could be tapped.

If this turns out to be only events at the whitewater facility, the main issue would be seating and moving people in and out.

If we were somehow able to get rowing, that's a whole other ballgame but it would also be way more people coming in and more revenue.

Have certain events ever been moved that far away from the main Olympic hosting city before? I don't think I've ever heard of that being done. Even the two cities mentioned in Italy are only 92 miles apart.

The surfing events for Paris 2024 will be in Tahiti. Seems like this will become more common. It’s a great way to take advantage of existing facilities. Those pictures that pop up every four years of abandoned stadiums are always interesting, but so wasteful.

I’m excited to see what OKC can do in five years.

As I said, there is nothing to get you focused like a hard deadline.

With almost every Olympics, there are rampant reports of things running way behind schedule and much hand-wringing about pulling everything together in time. And yet, it always gets done.

And it's not just the things that are directly part of hosting the events like the venues themselves, it's about a City wanting to be ready to put its best foot forward when you are going to be on a truly international stage. THAT is what excites me most... All the projects in the planning stages will be moved to the front burner with an immovable finish-by date.


As a side note, I already have friends from all over the country wanting to come stay with me!

I've been processing this for months now but when I first realized it was a real possibility I couldn't even think through what this might look like for OKC. So, I've had a head-start on almost everyone else and now I don't know if I've ever been as excited about anything OKC-related.

OKC literally would be put on the global map and our national profile will grow exponentially. Simply put, people will think of us differently and I'm including those who live in the City and state.

The primary reaction on social media has been disbelief. It's time for our residents to start thinking bigger and start believing in grand possibilities.


All that might seem like hyperbole, but as I said, I've been thinking about this for months now. Many will come around to the same way of thinking, especially if/when there is an official announcement.

Look at that first photo in the article I posted...

It's an amazing view of OKC and 99.8% of the people tuning in will be shocked and impressed by that image alone.

And imagine Boathouse Row all lit up and night and reflecting off the river with the glowing skyline in the background... That image will be beamed to every country in the world.

Okay I can die now. I've seen everything.

If this comes to pass, here is a quick list of things that could get done by July 2028:

- Most of the OKANA project, including the aquarium and maybe east of Eastern
- The massive Dream Hotel project
- Kick-start the Producers Coop
- Kick-start Strawberry Fields
- Finish most of Oak and Convergence
- Add more to Midtown
- Expanded BRT and maybe even commuter rail
- Serious development around the lower section of Scissortail Park
- Maybe move forward with the grand plans for Wiley Post Park and both sides of the river
- The Truck Yard will be open but maybe much more will get done along the canal
- More development in Bricktown
- Devon will finally fix its LED lights and the entire skyline could see more LED's

And that's just off the top of my head!

Am I reading this right? It will be six total events?

Am I reading this right? It will be six total events?

Yes, if it is just the canoe slalom events.

But I know the City is angling for more.

Am I reading this right? It will be six total events?

There are several rounds that make up each event though. Its not like its 6 races then their done.

There are several rounds that make up each event though. Its not like its 6 races then their done.

Correct.

For Paris 2024, the canoe slalom events will fill 10 days.

Wonder what the attendance would be like? This would be new territory for the Olympics. People from the central plains could watch the Olympics in person without having to travel all the way to California.

There are several rounds that make up each event though. Its not like its 6 races then their done.

Appears that we could expect 9 days of events (with one off day in the middle) if next year's schedule is any indication of what 2028 will look like.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canoeing_at_the_2024_Summer_Olympics

Wonder what the attendance would be like? This would be new territory for the Olympics. People from the central plains could watch the Olympics in person without having to travel all the way to California.

It would be constrained by the number of stands that could be erected.

Paris will have 12K at its facility; over 9 days that's close to 100,000 and there may be multiple sessions a day.

If we were to add rowing, those numbers would at least double.

I have no doubt that OKC could sell every single seat for every single session.

If this comes to pass, here is a quick list of things that could get done by July 2028:

- Most of the OKANA project, including the aquarium and maybe east of Eastern
- The massive Dream Hotel project
- Kick-start the Producers Coop
- Kick-start Strawberry Fields
- Finish most of Oak and Convergence
- Add more to Midtown
- Expanded BRT and maybe even commuter rail
- Serious development around the lower section of Scissortail Park
- Maybe move forward with the grand plans for Wiley Post Park and both sides of the river
- The Truck Yard will be open but maybe much more will get done along the canal
- More development in Bricktown
- Devon will finally fix its LED lights and the entire skyline could see more LED's

And that's just off the top of my head!

And probably the arena will be done or under construction

If this comes to pass, here is a quick list of things that could get done by July 2028:
- Devon will finally fix its LED lights and the entire skyline could see more LED's



I think this would take an act of god. :)

And probably the arena will be done or under construction

This would almost guarantee the arena funding gets passed. The proponents would be saying "See! look how much Maps4 paid off!" A lot of it would be luck, but its luck that wouldn't have happened without the funding and construction of Whitewater rafting and surrounding canoeing facilities.

Very, very exciting for OKC. Would probably try and attend!

Would the whitewater events alone be enough to spur that much development Pete? What you listed is several Billions worth of projects. I certainly hope it does, could be a huge leap in progress.

Sorry, Pete. The Twitter comments say this isn’t happening. Guess you’re wrong. *shrugs*

/s

Okay I can die now. I've seen everything.

Especially if we use any taxpayer money towards it, amirite?

Charlotte was not considered for some reason.

It is strange but we should see more of this multiple-city arrangement in the future. For the same reasons, it's already happened in the World Cup and for the 2026 Winter Olympics, the events will happen in two separate Italian cities.

Most people don't realize how many facilities are needed. Even in freaking Los Angeles -- which unquestionably has more Olympic-sized pools than anywhere in the world (most Cali high schools have them), they are planning to build a temporary swim venue on top of the USC baseball field.

There is probably nothing more specialized that a whitewater facility, which is why there are only two of world-class caliber in the entire United States.

This brings back memories of when I attended multiple events at the LA 1984 Olympics. One of those was at the swimming and diving venue next to the Coliseum. I also went to track and field at the Coliseum, men's tennis at UCLA, basketball, and men's gymnastics. I got to watch the legendary diver, Greg Louganis and the gold medal men's gymnastics team with OU's Bart Conner. It is a thrilling experience to be there when the US flag is being raised along with the playing of the national anthem.[/QUOTE]

Very cool. Hope it happens. We will be there.

A major Olympic event of this magnitude could result in $20 million or more in upgrades to our Riversport Rapids facility,
along with an economic impact on the local economy.

The quality area hotels could see a big boost in 2028. Recall the hotel-motel room sales tax goes to the new Fairgrounds Coliseum--target opening 2025, if those funds are allowed to accumulate beyond construction.

This would be a nice boost for a city of our size, where our city population is projected to be 750,000 with a metro 1,550,000 at our current rate of growth.

And probably the arena will be done or under construction

And perhaps some Streetcar expansion and spine building/correction!

OMG, this is AWESOME - Oklahoma City: a co-host for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics!!! WOW, this just keeps getting better, first the Hornets which led to the Thunder and now potentially Olympics and maybe for future US hosts cities' as well. WOW.

Just imagine what Aubrey McKlendon would be doing with this development. May he rest-in-peace but he had a vision for OKC, we all thought he was crazy with the river but OMG look at the payout. OKC get on board with this, do whatever it takes to fast track OKC 2028! Believe in your city and "hopefully" the state will come along as well.

This may very well be the boost that all of us have been waiting for, not just for the current projects but as was said - full build out at WRWA and the fact that not only the events will see spectators, the media, and the worldwide exposure beyond just the NBA's reach; but I'm also most excited about the continued but expanded connection to LA and that some of those flights/businesses might have lasting connectivity! :)

That's what usually happens, city gets the exposure and there's lasting effects. And bringing that exposure to the central US, not Chicago, not Dallas or even Houston, but Oklahoma City. ...

OMG - I am so excited and proud of my hometown. Oklahoma City baby!!!

The softball hall of fame is here. What are the chances to pull that event as well? That would huge!

I just hope the city gets financial help from LA for helping out. The strain on infrastructure will be real, so getting some help to defray costs will be nice.

The softball hall of fame is here. What are the chances to pull that event as well? That would huge!

Softball has yet to be made officially part of the 2028 Games, but is still a possibility.


It had been absent since 2008 but then included in Tokyo for 2020 (2021).

Softball will not be a part of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

...full build out at WRWA and the fact that not only the events will see spectators, the media, and the worldwide exposure beyond just the NBA's reach; but I'm also most excited about the continued but expanded connection to LA and that some of those flights/businesses might have lasting connectivity!--Hot Rod

Hope to see more airport expansion once a decision is made for 2028, a catalyst to kick start a future vision for WRWA.

Have a feeling that a major announcement on the new Oklahoma City arena will be funded thru a combination of
sources with early ground-breaking; it won't be debt free but paid off in less than five years.

The softball hall of fame is here. What are the chances to pull that event as well? That would huge!

Zero. The LA area has numerous schools and facilities that would be more than happy to host softball if it returns as an Olympic sport.

Zero. The LA area has numerous schools and facilities that would be more than happy to host softball if it returns as an Olympic sport.

And none of them have a stadium that holds more than 1,500.

Hall of Fame not only has a capacity of 13,000 but there are also multiple practice and warm-up fields that are necessary for a large multi-team competition. There is also an entire staff of people here that handles several big softball events a year and does it very well.


I realize the initial reaction for most is 'no way' when it comes to OKC -- it was my first thought as well -- but if we get the whitewater events (and I believe we will) then that opens the door for others to follow, as there will be economies of scale when it comes to organizing and expenses.

I am writing a follow-up article that will shed more light on this subject.

From November 2022. How was this missed?

https://www.sportstravelmagazine.com/la28-canoe-slalom-event-may-move-to-oklahoma-city/

If this comes to pass, here is a quick list of things that could get done by July 2028:

- Most of the OKANA project, including the aquarium and maybe east of Eastern
- The massive Dream Hotel project
- Kick-start the Producers Coop
- Kick-start Strawberry Fields
- Finish most of Oak and Convergence
- Add more to Midtown
- Expanded BRT and maybe even commuter rail
- Serious development around the lower section of Scissortail Park
- Maybe move forward with the grand plans for Wiley Post Park and both sides of the river
- The Truck Yard will be open but maybe much more will get done along the canal
- More development in Bricktown
- Devon will finally fix its LED lights and the entire skyline could see more LED's

And that's just off the top of my head!

Reading this list, these are things that should be done by 2028 regardless if we get host the Olympic events or not.

From November 2022. How was this missed?

https://www.sportstravelmagazine.com/la28-canoe-slalom-event-may-move-to-oklahoma-city/

I didn't miss it... Been sitting on this for quite a while but was wanting to have an indication that this was more than just an idea.

I can tell you there has been a great deal of forward movement on this very recently, because LA28 has to make formal decisions on sports and venues by the end of 2023, and may make announcements in the next few months.


BTW, I did not tell ANYONE about this and it's been killing me!

The reason other local media didn't see and put this together is that they rely on press releases (or OKCTalk reporting) and there will only be a formal announcement when LA28 and IOC are ready to release complete information on all their plans.

I didn't miss it... Been sitting on this for quite a while but was wanting to have an indication that this was more than just an idea.

I can tell you there has been a great deal of forward movement on this very recently, because LA28 has to make formal decisions on sports and venues by the end of 2023, and may make announces in the next few months.


BTW, I did not tell ANYONE about this and it's been killing me!

The reason other local media didn't see and put this together is that they rely on press releases (or OKCTalk reporting) and there will only be a formal announcement when LA28 and IOC are ready to release complete information on all their plans.

Did you recently get permission to "spill the beans" or just decide it was time to elaborate more on what you knew?

Did you recently get permission to "spill the beans" or just decide it was time to elaborate more on what you knew?

I never ask for permission.

As I said, there has been considerable recent forward movement and I believe the whitewater events are now very likely.

I'm sure OKC is pitching hard for rowing as well but I don't have any firm information that indicates that is going to happen. However, sometimes you have to connect the dots, and there are a lot of them regarding a bunch of river projects that have suddenly become a priority.

And none of them have a stadium that holds more than 1,500.

Hall of Fame not only has a capacity of 13,000 but there are also multiple practice and warm-up fields that are necessary for a large multi-team competition. There is also an entire staff of people here that handles several big softball events a year and does it very well.


I realize the initial reaction for most is 'no way' when it comes to OKC -- it was my first thought as well -- but if we get the whitewater events (and I believe we will) then that opens the door for others to follow, as there will be economies of scale when it comes to organizing and expenses.

I am writing a follow-up article that will shed more light on this subject.

Are there other types of events being considered for hosting outside of LA?

Are there other types of events being considered for hosting outside of LA?

The only ones that seem likely to be elsewhere are the canoe slalom events.

But we'll only know for sure when they make their formal announcements sometime this year.

Reading this announcement literally brought tears to my eyes. I remember as a young man standing in front of the Murrah building in the days following the bombing and to see what OKC has done in the 3 decades since is unfathomable, to be frank. I can't wait to hear more of the details and I am pretty confident Mayor Holt and the Chamber are working in overdrive to not only drive this, but to sell OKC as a potential host for more events. What a huge, huge W for OKC. Thanks for your work on this Pete.

On Edit: And, once softball is officially added how is OKC NOT in a very serious conversation to host that as well? I mean C'mon.

Reading this announcement literally brought tears to my eyes. I remember as a young man standing in front of the Murrah building in the days following the bombing and to see what OKC has done in the 3 decades since is unfathomable, to be frank. I can't wait to hear more of the details and I am pretty confident Mayor Holt and the Chamber are working in overdrive to not only drive this, but to sell OKC as a potential host for more events. What a huge, huge W for OKC. Thanks for your work on this Pete.

On Edit: And, once softball is officially added how is OKC NOT in a very serious conversation to host that as well? I mean C'mon.

Hopefully, since OKC is now likely to get the whitewater events, more may be on the table.


For those of us who can clearly remember the Dark Days of Oklahoma City, the fact this is a real possibility is hard to comprehend.

I started working downtown when I graduated OU in 1982. Things were okay then -- First National was still open and the arcade was relatively full -- but soon everything went over the cliff.

There is no way to describe the malaise of the mid-80s all through the 90s... Any attempt to do so will come across as exaggeration and hyperbole.

There was ONE hotel in all of downtown. There are now 22 with several more in the works.

Leadership Square opened in the mid-80s and my company was one of the very first to move in, but the main effect was sucking tenants out of existing buildings which were left to rot.

Almost all the OKC-based banks failed, including pillars like First National and Liberty.

Bricktown was just a few warehouses with mostly derelict buildings; Deep Deuce, Film Row, Midtown, Uptown, The Plaza... All were essentially abandoned.


The change has been so steady and prolonged that the totality doesn't often register.

That's why I decided to spend almost a full day downtown a couple of weeks before last Christmas. I parked by Lower Scissortail Park and walked through that entire park, past the convention center and Omni, past Paycom, and through the glorious Myriad Gardens. Took in the decorations at Devon and Colcord, then strolled past the huge nutcrackers on either side of the entrance to FNC, a scene straight out of Manhattan. Riding the escalator up to the Great Hall, I was awestruck by the decorations, the grandeur of the place and the big crowd. A string quartet was playing Christmas music.

From there I walked through the arcade -- once again nearly full -- and over to the Skirvin which is especially beautiful for the holidays. Past the completely redone BancFirst Tower and over to Bricktown which was filled with people milling around and in great spirits.

It was emotional... Like a victory lap for a die-hard fan that had loyally followed a beloved team that had repeatedly broken their heart for decades... And then finally rewarded their faith and instantly relieved half a lifetime of disappointment.

I've deeply loved Oklahoma City since I was a little kid when I would ride along with my dad as he took a trip to Citizens Bank or downtown. For a long time, I felt like I was the only one and that that sentiment was not justified.

If any aspect of the Olympics comes here in 2028, you can bet I will drink it in with every fiber of my being, pack my house full with as many out-of-state visitors as it will hold, and know that my life-long love affair is finally requited.

If this comes to pass, here is a quick list of things that could get done by July 2028:

- Most of the OKANA project, including the aquarium and maybe east of Eastern
- The massive Dream Hotel project
- Kick-start the Producers Coop
- Kick-start Strawberry Fields
- Finish most of Oak and Convergence
- Add more to Midtown
- Expanded BRT and maybe even commuter rail
- Serious development around the lower section of Scissortail Park
- Maybe move forward with the grand plans for Wiley Post Park and both sides of the river
- The Truck Yard will be open but maybe much more will get done along the canal
- More development in Bricktown
- Devon will finally fix its LED lights and the entire skyline could see more LED's

And that's just off the top of my head!

This list contains many projects that the city would LIKE to have done but my question is what projects will the city NEED to have done. There is a difference and I am sure Pete agrees. If OKC lands the rowing events, I believe the city/state will need to have the I-35 bridges over the river completed because I would assume the current bridge piers would interfere with the rowing course. The whole rebuild of the I-35/I-40/I-235 interchange does not need to be completed but the bridges do.