OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark

[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.

[Pete]

SUCH a huge deal.

I'm a little stunned.

[jccouger]

Amazing.

[Pete]

Press release:

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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.”

[Rover]

So glad it is the Chicasaws and not a big corporate chain. This is so much more Oklahoma than a Great Wolf Lodge. More OURS. Let's celebrate Native American success. This will be a big hit.

[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.

[MagzOK]

I know it mentions a ferry, but do you know if there's any chance of another pedestrian bridge to connect this portion to the canal area? I would think it would be very cool to be connected to the OKC trails network since it is the riverfront. I understand the location is cut off from there by the two interstates, but would something be possible.

[Pete]

I know it mentions a ferry, but do you know if there's any chance of another pedestrian bridge to connect this portion to the canal area? I would think it would be very cool to be connected to the OKC trails network since it is the riverfront. I understand the location is cut off from there by the two interstates, but would something be possible.

The river trail already runs to this location.

And there are plans to add a pedestrian bridge to the north side of the river, and the trail will run along there as well:

[BoulderSooner]

The river trail already runs to this location.

And there are plans to add a pedestrian bridge to the north side of the river, and the trail will run along there as well:

here is the north trail

[PoliSciGuy]

I wonder if there's any plans to tie in the Bricktown canal into the river proper? I know it's not that long of a walk from where the ferry lets you off into Bricktown, but it'd be neat to hop on a ferry in the heart of Bricktown and take it all the way back to the resort. Is the streetcar gonna head across the river as well?

Fun infrastructure questions to think about! Love the possibility of this resort and hopefully more development for the area in general.

[Jake]

^ think someone mentioned that the canal and the river are at different elevations so it's almost impossible to do that unless you built like a complicated lock system.

[Pete]

Right, the canal and river can't be directly connected but the two are within fifty feet of each other. You can take the canal boat to the southern turnaround, hop out and get on a river cruiser.

You can see the river inlet to the right-center here; the boats dock right near the benches. You can also see the difference in grade, hence the winding sidewalk that connects the two bodies of water.

[oklip955]

Also sad thing when going down I 35 say around NW 23 I think you see the land fills to the south. Same when on I40 around Rockwell. Welcome to OkC and look at our land fills. This is not what most people want to see when driving through on the interstates. It really really gives a bad impression of okc. Okc must just be garbage. Hopefully something can be done long term to make these areas look a bit better.

[jccouger]

Also sad thing when going down I 35 say around NW 23 I think you see the land fills to the south. Same when on I40 around Rockwell. Welcome to OkC and look at our land fills. This is not what most people want to see when driving through on the interstates. It really really gives a bad impression of okc. Okc must just be garbage. Hopefully something can be done long term to make these areas look a bit better.

lol it mostly just looks like a giant dirt/grass mound. I don't think thats a big issue.

[ourulz2000]

lol it mostly just looks like a giant dirt/grass mound. I don't think thats a big issue.

Exactly. 15 minutes south of downtown Dallas on I-45, there is a massive landfill right off the interstate. Another monster landfill in Grand Prairie right on I-30 about 10 minutes from downtown Dallas. Kansas City has their huge landfill right off Interstate 435, 10 min from downtown.

[ChrisHayes]

Exactly. 15 minutes south of downtown Dallas on I-45, there is a massive landfill right off the interstate. Another monster landfill in Grand Prairie right on I-30 about 10 minutes from downtown Dallas. Kansas City has their huge landfill right off Interstate 435, 10 min from downtown.

I know it's off topic, but I wish we had waste to energy incinerators here. We could slowly get rid of the landfills.

[oklip955]

A agree that is can be a big draw. If one goes to Europe andyou talk to people, our western/Native American heritage are of interest to them. We need to make more of it. More things to do to draw the international tourist. With more of western Europeans being fully vaccinated and tired of lockdowns, and easier to travel to the US, we will hopefully see more international tourism putting money into the local economy.

[Rover]

A agree that is can be a big draw. If one goes to Europe andyou talk to people, our western/Native American heritage are of interest to them. We need to make more of it. More things to do to draw the international tourist. With more of western Europeans being fully vaccinated and tired of lockdowns, and easier to travel to the US, we will hopefully see more international tourism putting money into the local economy.

Would help tremendously if we had at least ONE flight direct from a gateway European city.

[chssooner]

Would help tremendously if we had at least ONE flight direct from a gateway European city.

We are still years away from that, most likely. Or a corporate relocation/major European company opening operations here.

[oklip955]

Would help tremendously if we had at least ONE flight direct from a gateway European city.

A tour company could always do charter flights. Maybe some kind of package deal with add on such as a Rt. 66 tour on motorcycles, or a dude ranch/trail ride or visit tribal museums or golf package or fishing/hunting guided trips. This could make for an Oklahoma travel experience. Lots of other things for them to see and do here in Oklahoma. Not just from Europe but think groups from Japan, Korea, China and more.

[oklip955]

Any long term plans for the areas east like east of Eagle park. or the area around Eastern and Reno. Its seems like Eastern and Reno is home to homeless people and pan handlers last time I was down in the area. Understand if you go farther east you hit okc land fill areas.

[David]

What a home run for the city, gonna be a few years but this will be fun to watch go up.

Edit: I am also curious about the OKANA name. I like it, I'd just like to know more.