Oklahoma City Council Approves Plans For The MAPS 3 Whitewater Facility

The Oklahoma City council approves plans for a new whitewater facility around the Oklahoma River. This is one of the MAPS 3 projects.

The new whitewater facility will essentially sit behind the Riversport Adventures zip line park. The north side of the Oklahoma River at the east end of the Boathouse district, will be transformed.

It's an 11-acre whitewater facility that city officials say will be world class, designed for family fun, and community health.

"And that will be a fabulous facility for training, let alone recreation for families," said Anne Evans, Austin resident.

Evans and her family have lived in Austin, Texas for the past 14 years, and with every visit to OKC she says she is blown away by the city's growth.

"Having grown up in Oklahoma City, and not living here anymore, it's exciting to see all the growth that is happening in Oklahoma City," said Evans.

"It's just like this adventure thing. It's brought a lot of kids, adults, and people out for fun, and people spend money, and it increases the economy," said OKC resident, Jennifer Duerksen.

Riversport Adventures in the boathouse district will be the whitewater facility's new neighbor.

"We're looking forward to the whitewater rafting next time we come down," said Illinois resident, Chris Michel.

Michel and his family are visiting from Decatur, Illinois.

"We've been down here the last week, and checked out Bricktown, and this is by far my daughters' favorite spot," said Michel.

"There's a lot of room for it, and why not make good use to it. I'm sure tax payers will enjoy seeing all their money go to good use," said South OKC resident, Sherri Knight.

The $33-million dollar venue is also designed so Olympic hopefuls can use it as a training facility.

"It's so exciting to kind of see Oklahoma City get the kudos that they deserve," said Evans.

Construction of the new whitewater facility is expected to begin this fall and will take about 15 months to complete.