Council Approves Plans For The MAPS 3 Whitewater Facility

The Oklahoma City Council approved final plans for the public whitewater facility being built as part of MAPS 3 Tuesday. Once complete, the facility will offer rafting, kayaking and canoeing for all skill levels.

Construction on the whitewater facility is expected to begin this fall and will take approximately 15 months to complete. It will be built on the north side of the Oklahoma River at the east end of the Boathouse District.

"The 11-acre whitewater facility will be a world-class aquatic adventure venue designed for family fun, community health and wellness, major events and training for Olympic Hopefuls," said Mike Knopp, executive director for the Boathouse Foundation. "This facility will complement the world-class boathouses and RIVERSPORT Adventure attractions to create a one-of-a-kind urban outdoor experience. Where else can you walk from a thriving entertainment district and go on a whitewater rafting adventure at one of the premier venues of its kind in the world?"

The MAPS 3 budget for the whitewater facility is $33 million ($23.8 million is the construction budget). An additional $24 million in MAPS 3 funds are being invested in racecourse lighting, windscreens, starting systems and other racecourse improvements.

About MAPS 3

MAPS 3 is a $777 million construction program designed to improve the quality of life in Oklahoma City. It is funded by a one-cent sales tax initiative that began in April 2010 and ends in December 2017. MAPS 3 funds eight projects: Downtown Convention Center, Downtown Public Park, Modern Streetcar/Transit, Oklahoma River Improvements, Oklahoma State Fairgrounds Improvements, Senior Health and Wellness Centers, Trails and Sidewalks.