OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark

[HOT ROD]

BOKPP cant be seen in the first two pics, and barely in the 3rd. Not related to OKANA but I thought it was an interesting optical illusion.

[BoulderSooner]

BOKPP cant be seen in the first two pics, and barely in the 3rd. Not related to OKANA but I thought it was an interesting optical illusion.

it is visible in all three .. but not by much

[Pete]

[Plutonic Panda]

Maybe we can build an aquarium to compete with the one the UAE is building

[Oski]

Maybe we can build an aquarium to compete with the one the UAE is building

The whole OKANA project costs under $400M, I believe, an aquarium at that scale should cost over $500M. I expect this aquarium will be similar to a Ripley's Aquarium.

[Plutonic Panda]

The whole OKANA project costs under $400M, I believe, an aquarium at that scale should cost over $500M. I expect this aquarium will be similar to a Ripley's Aquarium.

While I’d certainly be on board with a proposal for a mega aquarium I’m well aware there’s a zero chance of it happening. Fun to think about though.

[BoulderSooner]

The whole OKANA project costs under $400M, I believe, an aquarium at that scale should cost over $500M. I expect this aquarium will be similar to a Ripley's Aquarium.

the aquarium is not part of this 400 million ..

if it goes here it will be a full separate project with separate funding (the cost they wanted in maps 4 was 100-150 mil .. and that was just phase 1 and might have had some additional dollars)

[Oski]

While I’d certainly be on board with a proposal for a mega aquarium I’m well aware there’s a zero chance of it happening. Fun to think about though.

We just need to find a group of OKC multimillionaires, and billionaires who really love OKC and wish to leave a legacy :-).

[HOT ROD]

like Aubrey M

[Pete]

[Pete]

[W8N2SKI]

Is that the base of a sky crane near the gravel?

[Pete]

Is that the base of a sky crane near the gravel?

Yes, for the hotel which looks like the first structure to go vertical.

[Laramie]

Been waiting to see this project get started; hopefully we'll see the 404 room hotel (center piece) top out at 11 stories in 2024.

[mugofbeer]

New entrance (over the concrete channel) and road starting to take shape:

Just reposting the plans for comparison.

[Pete]

[HFAA Alum]

Wow. They. Are. CHUGGING! This is what I like to see!

[Laramie]

The development skeleton of the $400 million resort under construction along the Oklahoma River will start to rise from the ground over the next month according to the Chickasaw Nation Secretary of Commerce Dan Boren.

The resort will feature an 11-story, 404-room hotel; conference center space with its 4.5-acre outdoor lagoon lined with sandy beaches, 100,000-square-foot indoor water park and 33,000-square-foot family entertainment center and a 550-space parking garage.

It is projected to draw to draw 500,000 visitors annually, with 53% coming from out of state, spokesman Chad Clayborn told the Oklahoma City Council in May. The 10-year combined direct and indirect economic impact is projected to be $1.3 billion with 985 jobs per year, he said.

Chickasaw Community Bank is about to open a nearly 33,000-square-foot building in northwest Oklahoma City to serve as its new headquarters.

Recently, the Chickasaws are involved in is the purchase of OKC's downtown’s iconic Skirvin Hilton. Ortus Hotel Investments of Oklahoma City and Sovereign Properties Holdco announced in December they had purchased the stately 111-year-old hotel along with other investors and plan a $15 million renovation.

The Skirvin Hilton is one of Oklahoma City’s most presered historic hotels as many residents and visitors know its storied past and have followed its revitalization and reopening in 2007. The Chickasaws believe their investment is a complementary fit with their OKANA project just east of downtown.



.

[Pete]

Zoo selects firm for aquarium design

The Oklahoma City Zoo has formed an Aquarium Selection Committee and the group recently reviewed presentations from several top consultant firms.

The committee recommended the Zoo Trust authorize Dwight Lawson (Zoo Executive Director/CEO) to enter into negotiations with the firm used by the impressive Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, PGAV Destinations.

When opened in 2005, it was the largest aquarium in the world with 11 million gallons of water and thousands of animals from across the world.

The Zoo has been quietly working with the Chickasaw Nation to develop an aquarium in the OKANA project, currently under construction next to the First Americans Museum.

The OKANA developers have mentioned that an aquarium would be included in Phase II of the project. The first phase will include a large hotel, conference center, indoor waterpark, shops and restaurants and a huge swimming lagoon.

Long-term plans for OKANA to expand to the west side of the museum grounds as well.

[Jake]

Awesome!!!

[dcsooner]

Agree.This along with what is already being developed would only increase the projects already immense drawing power, especially if done to world class type standards

[Just the facts]

I can think of at least 10 places better for an aquarium than this location.

[BoulderSooner]

I can think of at least 10 places better for an aquarium than this location.

of course you can lol

[sooner2000]

I love aquariums, but temper your expectations. PGAV is a fine company, but the RFP for consultants said the aquarium will contain “between 600,000 and 800,000 gallons” of exhibit space. The Georgia Aquarium is over 11 million gallons. The two facilities will not be comparable.

[BoulderSooner]

I love aquariums, but temper your expectations. PGAV is a fine company, but the RFP for consultants said the aquarium will contain “between 600,000 and 800,000 gallons” of exhibit space. The Georgia Aquarium is over 11 million gallons. The two facilities will not be comparable.

keep in mind georgia aquarium was almost 300 mil in 2001 for 8mil gallons when it opened

this phase 1 will be 100-150 mil at most .. the Oklahoma aquarium in tulsa is 500k gallons i believe. The more funding the OKC aquarium can acquire the bigger it will be. (it was a huge mistake to include it in maps 4 and just have that tax last another year or 2)