OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark

[Just the facts]

I went back to the first page of this thread and Pete mentioned that a dock is planned for this location, so I think it would be feasible and even something to promote. It would tie a lot of things together.

At some point, it may make sense if some sort of "city pass" were created where visitors could purchase one pass to access the street car, canal water taxis, and riverboat ferries by the day. I guess it could also be combined with the attractions and include or allow things like OKCMOA, FAM, and the aquarium added to it.

I do think this could all be integrated in a very interesting way where its location actually becomes an asset by playing up the option of water way access to and from it for anyone staying downtown or at the resort, if that is actually realized and executed well.

Some form of a City Pass is a great idea and long over-due.

[BoulderSooner]

The best way to make sure an aquarium project is successful is to keep the management of the OKC Zoo out of the planning. They offer great ideas but are never able to see them through. Just look at the Sanctuary Asia project - it's nothing more than an island of concrete. The glass used on the animal exhibits have so much glare that you never get a good view of the animals when they are inside.

lol at this take

the OKC zoo is one of the best facilities in the country ...

[jn1780]

Sanctuary Asia is ok if you take it for what it mostly is: an event venue and food court. More money went into that than the surrounding animal exhibits related to Asia. I believe the African exhibit will be great.

[sooner2000]

the OKC zoo is one of the best facilities in the country ...

I know I’m the one who started the “why isn’t the aquarium bigger” debate, but I’ll join in defending the zoo as a whole. People complaining about Sanctuary Asia may not realize the elephant complex is easily one of the top five in the country in an era when MANY zoos are phasing out elephants due to cost. The fact that they also included a second, very expensive to keep megafauna species with the rhinos is pretty remarkable.

[jn1780]

I know I’m the one who started the “why isn’t the aquarium bigger” debate, but I’ll join in defending the zoo as a whole. People complaining about Sanctuary Asia may not realize the elephant complex is easily one of the top five in the country in an era when MANY zoos are phasing out elephants due to cost. The fact that they also included a second, very expensive to keep megafauna species with the rhinos is pretty remarkable.

I was focusing on the expansion that included the event building/food court, but yes I agree about the elephant habitat.

[ChrisHayes]

I wasn't able to get any pictures, but the hotel is starting to go vertical. What look to be support columns are going up.

[Pete]

I wasn't able to get any pictures, but the hotel is starting to go vertical. What look to be support columns are going up.

Is the construction crane in place?

[ChrisHayes]

Is the construction crane in place?

That's actually why I drove by. I wanted to see if it was up yet. Not yet. There's a crane on the other side of the river with what looks to be tower crane section. I don't know why they would be over there, unless it was just unloaded there.

[Pete]

That's actually why I drove by. I wanted to see if it was up yet. Not yet. There's a crane on the other side of the river with what looks to be tower crane section. I don't know why they would be over there, unless it was just unloaded there.

Thanks, I'll go by this weekend with my drone.

[SagerMichael]

If Reno from Bricktown to MLK/OKANA was ever reimagined into a tree lined, wide sidewalk, bike lane, pedestrian oriented stretch it would really help connect the two areas. Swap RV sales and low budget motels for quality development. With proximity to Bricktown, OKANA, Innovation District, Eastside, OU Medical Center, that stretch of Reno has long term potential likely just 15 years early

[HangryHippo]

If Reno from Bricktown to MLK/OKANA was ever reimagined into a tree lined, wide sidewalk, bike lane, pedestrian oriented stretch it would really help connect the two areas. Swap RV sales and low budget motels for quality development. With proximity to Bricktown, OKANA, Innovation District, Eastside, OU Medical Center, that stretch of Reno has long term potential likely just 15 years early

Such a great point. Reno needs some serious TLC. Of course, it could’ve already happened if it had been modified like the crosstown boulevard it actually is instead of the short stretch of parallel i40 we actually got.

[Pete]

From this (Sunday 2/5) morning...

They have switched all the traffic to the new entry drive to the south and have already demolished the old one.

[Laramie]

Nice pics Pete.

Predict that this 404 room hotel will be so successful that the Chickasaw Tribe will build another twin duplicate before 2030.

[jccouger]

Hey Pete, not sure if this has been clarified but it looks like the southern river walking path will be extended under I35 to OKANA?

[Pete]

Hey Pete, not sure if this has been clarified but it looks like the southern river walking path will be extended under I35 to OKANA?

Yes, I believe that is the plan.

There was an existing path that started just west of Eastern/FAM Boulevard/MLK and went under Eastern then all the way to Eagle Lake and tied into a loop around that small body of water - I've run my dogs down there a couple of times.

Everything east of Eastern is already in place, so they just need to tie the south bank near OKANA into that section.

[Pete]

The underpass is indicated by the red arrows.

In the 2nd image, you can see the existing path marked in green.

And remember, a pedestrian bridge is planned across the river near the hotel (3rd image).

[HOT ROD]

also shows the boat docks.

[Pete]

Here are some CAD drawings of the hotel, convention center and indoor waterpark.

The waterpark will have a massive skylight.

[Anonymous.]

These look great, but I still can't believe they are putting the parking garage fronting the river between the hotel and the museum.

Also it is interesting to read the comments under all the social media posts about this development. It seems people want casinos in OKC.

[Bellaboo]

Does anyone know what OKANA stands for ?

Thanks

[therhett17]

Does anyone know what OKANA stands for ?

Thanks

I believe it's a Chickasaw word, but I could be totally wrong on that.

[ABryant]

Oka means water in chickasaw, but I am not sure what the na means.

[Bellaboo]

I believe it's a Chickasaw word, but I could be totally wrong on that.

When I searched it came up with Hawaiian and Maori. I thought maybe 'Oklahoma And Native American' ? I have no clue.

[Pete]

Oka means water in chickasaw, but I am not sure what the na means.

Yes, I'm sure the name is just manufactured and a play on the Chickasaw word for water, which is oka.

[Pete]