OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark

[crimsoncrazy]

The newly-opened First Americans Museum in southeast Oklahoma City kicked off big plans for the land surrounding the site. Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby on Thursday unveiled plans to create a tourist destination unlike anything in the metro.
The land owned by the Chickasaw Nation will be transformed into a $300-plus million, world-class resort and First Americans cultural destination. Oklahoma City leaders and developers expect OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark to draw national and international visitors.

The 11-story, 404-room hotel will be part of a family-friendly resort to include an indoor water park, entertainment center and a five-acre outdoor water lagoon. The plans also include a Native American Market, a 1,500 seat amphitheater and conference center.

https://www.news9.com/story/61714018...ericans-museum

[Patchy Proot]

Hmmm. We'll see.

[bombermwc]

Hmmm. We'll see.

Remember, this is a project being done by the Chickasaw Nation. They wouldn't be committed to this if they didn't have VERY strong opinions (with data to back it up) that it will be successful. They are creating a destination, not just a hotel. If the CN is doing it, you should have confidence that it will be done properly and not just on the cheap either. This is not the same for all tribes in Oklahoma, i mean there are countless tribes that dont have enough business sense to keep a gas station open. But there are also several that really know their stuff in the business world. It's no different than anyone else in development. Some are quality developers and some are crap. CN is quality folks...be very happy that OKC lucked into having them pick up the task on this whole project.

Also, no im not a member of any tribe. But i have worked with the CN in the past (as well as multiple other tribes) as part of a former job. So I'm not saying this on personal bias by being a tribe member or anything. Just my personal experience with various groups in the state.

[MagzOK]

Hmmm. We'll see.

This is very exciting, but I have to admit that this was exactly my first thought/impression when I saw this article. It took, what, nearly 30 years of fighting over public funding and stuff to complete the cultural center? Makes me wonder if this project will be a bloody fight again over funding dragging this out for 30 years. Granted, I believe it was the Chickasaw Nation that eventually came in and took the reigns to get the cultural center finally completed. But certainly, something like this would be totally awesome especially in that exact spot.

[Pete]

This is very exciting, but I have to admit that this was exactly my first thought/impression when I saw this article. It took, what, nearly 30 years of fighting over public funding and stuff to complete the cultural center? Makes me wonder if this project will be a bloody fight again over funding dragging this out for 30 years. Granted, I believe it was the Chickasaw Nation that eventually came in and took the reigns to get the cultural center finally completed. But certainly, something like this would be totally awesome especially in that exact spot.

Once the Chickasaws took over the museum, things got done. Not only quickly, but in a completely first-class manner. If you haven't been to the museum, go and see for yourself. It's amazing.

Part of that deal was the Chickasaws got the rights to develop the adjacent properties. This is their project backed by their massive piles of money.

They hope to open this by summer of 2024. This is going to happen and will be done right.

[ChrisHayes]

This is the kind of development I want to see on the river! It will especially be eye opening to those driving down I-40.

[Pete]

[G.Walker]

Looks like the renderings are conceptual, can't wait to see the final product and the architect. But wow, this was unexpected!

[Pete]

[Pete]

They've been working on this for a long time.

And the Chickasaws have oceans of money.

Very exciting stuff... OKC is on fire!

[BoulderSooner]

this is amazing ..

[5alive]

The Chickasaw Tribe will make this a home run!

[Pete]

This is a such a big deal.

What is unique about Oklahoma? Our Native American roots and culture, first and foremost.

We'll finally have a national tourist attraction to celebrate this rich history. Much credit to the city of OKC for first salvaging the museum (which was stalled and headed for oblivion), then partnering with the Chickasaw Nation to finish it and now this $300 million investment.


It feels like OKC is on the verge of turning a very big corner. So much is planned and happening.

[5alive]

Exciting times!!!

[Pete]

Keep in mind, this will have 404 rooms, second only to the new Omni.

And with the water park, lagoon and conference center (plus the museum, of course) this will be its own little district and destination.

I know there are plans to create a dock for the OK River boats as well.

[Bellaboo]

I like the fact that another low water dam is being built with MAPS4. This will now have water to the East for a couple miles or so.
Also, a new pedestrian bridge and dock will be built for the FAM to connect with the North shore.

[BoulderSooner]

Also, a new pedestrian bridge and dock will be built for the FAM to connect with the North shore.

edit .. i see the bridge now in the renderings ... that would be a great addition

[G.Walker]

I think the best part of this its not a casino. Not gonna lie though, when I first saw the story, I though it was. But glad to see CN doing something different and bumping the trend. This will be a destination not only for Oklahomans, but for surrounding states as well. Also, the CN does good programming and marketing, so this will be a big success. I'm ready to book now, lol.

[BoulderSooner]

I think the best part of this its not a casino. Not gonna lie though, when I first saw the story, I though it was. But glad to see CN doing something different and bumping the trend. This will be a destination not only for Oklahomans, but for surrounding states as well. Also, the CN does good programming and marketing, so this will be a big success. I'm ready to book now, lol.

they don't have the right to build a casino on this property ..

[Pete]

These conceptual plans came out about a year and a half ago.

Shows what could be done with the rest of the property.

[Pete]

Some better renderings:

[HFAA Alum]

Some better renderings:

YES! YES! That's what I'm talking about! Riverfront development with crossings to the north side!

This is the beginnings of a beautiful trend I can see developing for the southern riverside. If this gets conceptualized and completed, we will be seeing a trend of riverside venues that will look into establishing commercial and residential developments to anchor it's way to the boathouse. Boardwalks are born of stuff like this, with this and the National Heritage Museum being the anchors, you can bet that tourism will explode for the city. Couple this with the new soccer stadium in development, the encroaching fun district to couple with that already accounted for in the MAPS budget, the renovations to the Paycom Center, roadway expansion, the expansion/modernization of the skyline, and future investments into the northeast quadrant, we are looking at a true renaissance taking place here. I didn't even need to mention stuff like the OAK development and the Classen Curve getting all those new residential midrise and luxury living projects.

Looking into the development costs, I can surmise that this should be a four-year to five-year project barring any delays and budgetary issues. If the OMNI, from groundbreaking to opening day, took three years to build with seventeen stories, this eleven-story endeavor should take four with the ground breaking planned for sometime next year with another year accounted for asset installation. And with crossings made to the other side of the river, it opens the door for widespread commercial implementation along the east-side riverbank. Might as well start planning a boardwalk to connect Wheeler District to this project. If people say that the river leads to nowhere, might as well make the river the destination.

This is a great vision leading to greater possibilities. OKC will soon become a fly-in destination over the next twenty years, ten if it starts really booming up but let's be fair and say twenty.

[Jake]

This is amazing. So much happening in this city.

[Martin]

i'm not complaining at either of those concepts and i'd be glad to see either come to fruition... but i think i'd prefer to see a blending between those two: hotel space for event attendees plus shops that form a sort of artist enclave like in the paseo. this way, the space remains open to the public and not just for resort guests.

[Dob Hooligan]

Can anyone tell me what OKANA means or stands for?