Boathouse approved by City Council

[Patrick]

I'm glad to hear we're moving closer to finally making the Chesapeake Boathouse a reality on the Oklahoma River. It will be one of the first structures built on the river....Dell will possibly be completed first....not sure what the timetable is for the 2 projects.

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"Regatta Park boathouse approved



The Oklahoma City Council voted Tuesday to allow for the construction of a $2.3 million boathouse on the Oklahoma River.
Members also agreed to consider municipal law changes that would set user fees for an off-road track being built near Lake Stanley Draper.

A lease agreement with the Oklahoma City Riverfront Redevelopment Authority and the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation allows for a $2.3 million boathouse, The Chesapeake Boathouse, to be built in Regatta Park, just south of Interstate 40 and west of Byers Avenue.

The boathouse will measure 14,578 square feet and will be able to store 80 to 124 row boats.

Mayor Mick Cornett said the Chesapeake Boathouse will be an architectural asset and is necessary if the city wants to be serious about rowing on the Oklahoma River.

Oklahoma City University held the first annual Head of the Oklahoma Centennial Regatta in October.

As for the off-road track, council members already have entered into agreements allowing two dirt bike groups to operate and maintain the project.

Crosstimbers Riders Association Inc. and Oklahoma Dirt Riders Inc. are involved.

The track is being built west of Lake Draper in the West Elm Creek Reservation area.

Ward 4 Councilman Pete White said the move is mainly for environmental considerations to Lake Stanley Draper.

White said people riding off-road vehicles in the area are doing so in the lake's watershed, causing environmental damage.

He said the dirt bike groups will be able to use money from fees to maintain the project.

Under the proposal being considered, the two groups will sell off-road vehicle permits, with part of the money going to the city and part going into the maintenance of the facility.

An annual fee of $60 and a daily fee of $10 will be charged to those 16 years old and up.

Those under 16 will be charged a $12 annual fee and a $2 daily fee.

A final hearing on the proposal is set for Feb. 15"

[Patrick]

Here's an update from their site:

"Chesapeake Boathouse Update

The Chesapeake Boathouse will finally begin to take shape over the next several months. While nothing has been done on the site as of yet, there has been ongoing work on construction plans and metal fabrication of the building's structural components. The Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation has been incorporated to manage the construction and implement an operating plan for the landmark facility. The boathouse has already become a catalyst for further development along the Oklahoma River and will set a high standard for design and construction that will be important for the river's future.

Smith and Pickel Construction will be the general contractors and should be mobilizing on the site soon. When this occurs, the current dirt parking area will be fenced off for construction. Rowers will have to begin utilizing the paved parking lot until construction is complete. While it will be an extra walk, it is a small price to pay for our future home in what will become one of the great boathouses of this country.

With work beginning soon on the site, a tentative construction completion goal will be mid to late fall of this year. We continue to offer our sincere appreciation to Chesapeake Energy and the Centennial Commission for their great leadership and support for this exciting and iconic gift for the river and rowers of OKC!"

[Patrick]