OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark

[Pete]

This may be the biggest thing for OKC since the Thunder.

I love the Cowboy Hall but it's not drawing people from all over the country. This will.

[ChrisHayes]

As always, the negative nillies are out in force on the Facebook page. I'm waiting for the roads comments.

[G.Walker]

After this is built, no need to venture to DFW for the Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine or Epic Water Park in Grand Prairie. This is great for OKC, and there is nothing like this is surrounding states, besides Texas.

[LocoAko]

This may be the biggest thing for OKC since the Thunder.

I love the Cowboy Hall but it's not drawing people from all over the country. This will.

Honest question (not sarcastic): is it the water park you see being the biggest attraction, or the convention center? Or just the fact that all of these will be in the immediate vicinity of the FAM? I assume the convention center will be targeting smaller and/or different sorts of conferences than the MAPS3 one? I'm not one for water parks, generally, so perhaps I don't have a good handle on what would actually draw people from all over the country.

[Pete]

^

It's the combination of all of it plus the tie into our Native American culture and the museum.

It gives people a reason to come to OKC and to stay here.


Our Native American roots are what make us truly unique. Otherwise, what is different/special about Oklahoma?

[Jeepnokc]

Having difficulty orientating this. Will it be east of the actual museum or behind it? Is it going to be in front of FAM and basically hide it where you can't see it? Hopefully they keep their history forefront. It is an exciting concept for OKC and will be great for that area.

[warreng88]

Having difficulty orientating this. Will it be east of the actual museum or behind it? Is it going to be in front of FAM and basically hide it where you can't see it? Hopefully they keep their history forefront. It is an exciting concept for OKC and will be great for that area.

This should help. Hotel will be south of the river and east of the museum facing south.

[PoliSciGuy]

Holy smokes, this is fantastic, and hopefully is mutually reinforcing (folks coming for the resort may just amble over to the museum and folks really wanting to see the museum have a place to maybe extend their stay if they see fit). Anchoring part of downtown around a massive Native American district (for lack of a better word) would be distinctive and truly make this a unique place. Love it.

[Pete]

Having difficulty orientating this. Will it be east of the actual museum or behind it? Is it going to be in front of FAM and basically hide it where you can't see it? Hopefully they keep their history forefront. It is an exciting concept for OKC and will be great for that area.

This should help:

[Brett]

Can anyone tell me what OKANA means or stands for?

Okana is the ultimate alternative to coffee. https://drinkokana.com/

[GoGators]

I don't understand why so many people think the the Chickasaw Nation had anything to do with the decades long delay and funding issues the original museum had while the state was in charge of this.

[warreng88]

Okana is the ultimate alternative to coffee. https://drinkokana.com/

Missed a great opportunity to call it OAK City and make everyone angry

[jerrywall]

Can anyone tell me what OKANA means or stands for?

Not sure about Okana, but according to the Chickasaw Dictionary online Oka means liquid or water.

[shawnw]

Missed a great opportunity to call it OAK City and make everyone angry

Or at least OAKana City

[G.Walker]

A lot more detailed information can be found in the official press release here:

https://chickasaw.net/News/Press-Rel...-of-57150.aspx

[chssooner]

I'm pleading ignorance, but what is the reason for a casino at Remington Park? It isn't on federal trust land. Just curious.

[OkiePoke]

Huge news! I'm expecting high quality from the Chickasaw Nation. If it was another developer, I would think this is a pipe dream.

[jccouger]

Amazing.

[Pete]

Press release:

****************

CHICKASAW NATION UNVEILS PLANS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF AN EXPANSIVE RESORT-STYLE DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT ADJACENT TO FIRST AMERICANS MUSEUM IN OKC
Release Date: October 21, 2021
by Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office


Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby unveiled plans today for OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark, a major resort-style development, which will be located adjacent to the newly-opened First Americans Museum, along the Oklahoma River near downtown Oklahoma City.

OKANA Resort includes riverfront hotel, spa, outdoor adventure lagoon, amphitheater, indoor waterpark, restaurants, Native American Marketplace and retail outlets

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 21, 2021) – Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby today unveiled plans for a major resort-style development to be located adjacent to the newly-opened First Americans Museum. Situated along the Oklahoma River near downtown Oklahoma City, OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark will be a $300+ million tourist destination designed to continue the momentum of economic development in Oklahoma City.

“Strong partnerships and diligent effort among city and state officials and private entities have been integral to the launch of the First Americans Museum,” said Gov. Anoatubby. "With this world-class First Americans Museum now in operation, we are ready to turn our focus to what we believe will be another significant tourism and hospitality venue. It is our vision that the OKANA Resort will enhance the experience for visitors from not only our region, but across North America and around the world.

“OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark has been designed to complement the First Americans Museum’s focus on cultural experience as well as connect visitors to other entertainment experiences along this established and vibrant part of the Oklahoma River.”

Plans announced detailed the first phase of the project, which is scheduled to develop approximately 40 acres of the total 140 acres held by AICCM Land Development, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation.

The resort-hotel will feature an 11-story, 404-room hotel, providing guests with luxurious accommodations, riverfront and lagoon views and proximity to the heart of Oklahoma City and the Boathouse District. A five-acre outdoor adventure lagoon designed for relaxation and play will sit at the center of the property and will be comprised of one main body of water and two smaller bodies of water – all lined with sandy beaches. A pedestrian bridge will stretch across the main body of water, allowing guests to easily move throughout the property. The resort also will feature a 33,000 square-foot family entertainment center, over 100,000 square-foot indoor waterpark, 39,000 square-feet of conference center space, spa and golf simulator, and multiple retail outlets, and dining options.

Chickasaw Nation Secretary of Commerce Bill Lance said that cooperation between local and state government and business leaders made this type of investment possible.

“Undoubtedly, an entertainment and lodging complex of this magnitude will add significantly to the exciting progress going on in Oklahoma City. Initially, the resort is projected to employ 400 people and the annualized economic impact year one is projected to be $97 million. Additionally, estimates for the 10-year economic impact of this development are projected to exceed $1 billion, with full-time employment expanding to approximately 700-800.”

The development also will feature a Native American Market and amphitheater. The market provides a space for First American artists to showcase works of art or other creations. The amphitheater and outdoor lawn will accommodate roughly 1,500 people. These venues are meant to augment the museum’s programming with local artist performances, festivals, lectures and similar events.

Lance noted that the development will connect easily with the Boathouse District through a new Oklahoma River Cruises Ferry Landing funded through a $4 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration. Additional access to the area will be available through the trails system from both the north and the south. With the property located directly on the Oklahoma River, visitors will have a front-row seat to the starting line for U.S. Rowing National High Performance Center’s 2000-meter course.

Wynne/Jackson, a Dallas-based real estate development firm, is assisting in the development design for the entire project. New York-based Aquatic Development Group is the hotel developer, while Wisconsin-based ADCI is the hotel and waterpark architect. Benchmark Hospitality will operate the hotel and waterpark, which is expected to employ about 500 people in its operations. CallisonRTKL also is assisting in the master planning of the entire project and serving as architect for the Native American Marketplace and retail and dining components. Johnson & Associates from Oklahoma City assisted with site preparation and ongoing work.

Project funding, including site remediation, infrastructure and development, will come from both private and public sources. Public funding will include tax increment funds, MAPS4, federal transportation grants and funds from existing general obligation bonds.

The plans submitted today estimate a project completion in the late spring of 2024.

City and business leaders commented on the announcement of OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark.

“The caliber of this development is world-class and truly worthy of America’s 22nd-largest city,” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. “FAM’s opening was just the first step in establishing this site’s potential for our community. The announcement of the development plan illustrates how Oklahoma City can emerge as an international destination for Native and Indigenous culture. This development helps to further create a place where Native and Indigenous people will come together, and a place where all people will experience that culture. On behalf of the people of Oklahoma City, we are so grateful to the Chickasaw Nation for its vision and its commitment to this project. Our mutual partnership is something that Oklahoma City deeply values.”

“We are excited to see the area around the First Americans Museum (FAM) be developed with care and appreciation for the architectural integrity of the museum. Our new neighbors, the AICCM Land Development, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation, have been collaborative and inclusive with FAM as the project has been designed. The FAM team has played an advisory role throughout the process. FAM, as well as the surrounding communities, will greatly benefit from the presence of the conference hotel and water park,” said James Pepper Henry, First Americans Museum Director and CEO.

Roy Williams, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber President and CEO said, “The number of hospitality and lodging options available for OKC visitors of all types has exploded in the past few years. And, soon, the OKANA resort will bring an additional experience that complements our unique new museum. The economic impact of a commercial development of this magnitude, especially in proximity to the new park and the First Americans Museum, builds on the momentum achieved in our city in recent years. It is a tribute to the “can do” spirit of OKC public and private sector leaders, including especially our partners at the Chickasaw Nation.”

Oklahoma City Convention and Visitors Bureau President Zac Craig said, “As the world emerges from the pandemic, we expect the competition in the convention space will be intense for several years. But I can say with confidence that OKC stands ready with world class attractions for both leisure travel and convention business to compete with any city in this region and beyond. The OKANA project is a welcome and exciting addition to OKC’s hospitality and entertainment portfolio and will further magnify the economic vitality of our city.”

[Bellaboo]

I'm pleading ignorance, but what is the reason for a casino at Remington Park? It isn't on federal trust land. Just curious.

Technically it's a Racino. A whole different story.

[Pete]

SUCH a huge deal.

I'm a little stunned.

[BG918]

Hopefully that pedestrian bridge shown in the rendering gets built so you can go across the river without going all the way to the Eastern bridge. That would better connect this whole area to Riversport and Boathouse Row.

[chssooner]

The best thing, there are still about 100 acres to develop. I have no doubt they will kill it with that land, as well.

[ChaseDweller]

This is so great for OKC and that part of town. Very exciting.

With the new low water damn further east and the expanded trail system, this will also allow for bike and pedestrian access from all over the city, including south Scissortail. The pedestrian bridge across the river is much needed. Now if we could only get the one over the RR trestle farther west going, we could actually use both sides of the river at the same time.

[Pete]

Now if we could only get the one over the RR trestle farther west going, we could actually use both sides of the river at the same time.

That pedestrian bridge by Wheeler is moving forward.

Should be able to share more soon.