How does the size of the facility proposed for OKC compare to the facility in Charlotte?

How does the size of the facility proposed for OKC compare to the facility in Charlotte?

See that's what I don't get. I did some researching last night after I proposed my question on here and they say it's "comparable" to, but I've looked at the Charlotte course on Google Maps and it looks as if it takes up nearly 3 times the space that we have available so who knows.

See that's what I don't get. I did some researching last night after I proposed my question on here and they say it's "comparable" to, but I've looked at the Charlotte course on Google Maps and it looks as if it takes up nearly 3 times the space that we have available so who knows.

Funny, I was looking at the same thing. The Charlotte course looks huge, especially compared to the little tract of land ours is set for.

See that's what I don't get. I did some researching last night after I proposed my question on here and they say it's "comparable" to, but I've looked at the Charlotte course on Google Maps and it looks as if it takes up nearly 3 times the space that we have available so who knows.

I would guess they are talking about the channels for whitewater and activities are comparable, not the overall park area for whitewater. The area for the whitewater we are building is dominated by the channels, their's has much more space dedicated to ponds at the top and bottom and islands that shape the channels. Both are designed with a competitive and recreation channels, along with a freestyle area. Plus some of the activities like climbing walls, zip line and play areas they have mixed in the whitewater park, we have in other sections of the boathouse district. Since ours runs from Phillips ave to the tip of the river and back a little bit, there total course length is pretty similar, I am not sure about the elevation change though.

I kind of think they had made at least a change or two since this one but gives an idea of what ours will be like:
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ww12313c.jpg

Presentation today at the River Design Committee: http://www.okc.gov/planning/planning_library/Riverfront/PRESENTATION.pdf

The latest revision on the main building looks like it fits better with the design pattern they already have established for the area than any of the previous iterations they released publicly, it also looks like they may finally be getting set with the channel design (the last three iterations of the design have only been adjusting the buildings and operation spaces).

When is this facility scheduled to begin construction?

When is this facility scheduled to begin construction?

From the implementation plan it is in the last three months of this year, not sure if they are on track. Though I would expect to at the earliest be the middle of October to not conflict with the main regatta of the year.

I cannot wait for this to open. I wonder if an REI could fit in that block north of the course?

I cannot wait for this to open. I wonder if an REI could fit in that block north of the course?

I mentioned that in the retail thread. It would be great if it could go anywhere near this area or over between Rocktown and the river. They have to be looking at what is about to happen in this area.

Personally I hope some of that space is reserved for future expansion of the course. It may not ever need it, but it would suck if they wanted to expand and didn't have the space. Would be even cooler if they wanted to expand later and built the new portion of the course around an REI or something to similar.

I mentioned that in the retail thread. It would be great if it could go anywhere near this area or over between Rocktown and the river. They have to be looking at what is about to happen in this area.

Personally I hope some of that space is reserved for future expansion of the course. It may not ever need it, but it would suck if they wanted to expand and didn't have the space. Would be even cooler if they wanted to expand later and built the new portion of the course around an REI or something to similar.

Let's get REI to buy in right away and sell naming rights, etc.

Let's get REI to buy in right away and sell naming rights, etc.

I'm all for it! I'll give them a call!:cool:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LMJLB0fDMA

^ cool!!!

I wonder where they built that scale model at. Looks like some kind of automotive shop.

Unless they rented some space here, there company contact info is in Lyons, Colorado

Ahhhh. Woulda been cool if they had had a lil miniature raft floating down the model!

Steve said on several of his chats that Great Wolf Lodge would be a great fit along the river but the one in Grapevine is 450,000 square feet with an outdoor pool. With the Whitewater rafting course going in north of the river and east of the boathouses, would there even be room for one of those? Maybe he was thinking somewhere along the river, but not necessarily next to boathouse row? I could definitely see a hotel fronting the whitewater rafting course with parking on the north (next to the new highway) but not something like GWL.

Found this nice piece:

Designing Big League Whitewater in Oklahoma City
Posted by Joe Jacobi on Sat, Nov 02, 2013 @ 08:25 AM

"Big League" means different things to different people but here in Oklahoma City, the expression represents the transformative process and collaborative spirit that brings top-tier lifestyle amenities to the community. A few short years ago, not many people would have thought Oklahoma City would be home to one of the top teams in professional basketball, destination of a Marathon that hosts 27,000 runners while raising a million dollars to support the Oklahoma Memorial and of course become home to USA Canoe/Kayak and a World-class paddlesports and rowing venue.

When I started traveling to Oklahoma City four years ago, the public vote for MAPS 3, the continuation of the city's penny sales tax that would fund eight "quality of life" projects including a $60 million investment in the Oklahoma River and bring a whitewater venue to downtown, was just a few weeks away.

The community's enthusiasm and appetite for progress translated to a "yes" for MAPS 3 and a "Big League" opportunity for paddlesports.

The idea of constructing a whitewater river where one does not initially exist is certainly more common today compared to when I started racing in whitewater slalom in the early 1980's. Back then, the idea of paddling on an artificial channel in the U.S. seemed like a distant dream.

Bold vision and hard work led to the development of channels in North Carolina and Maryland but as I didn't spend time at those venues during design and construction, I never understood how these venues really came together. I would see pictures and hear reports in certain phases of construction but without being on the ground, I never gained true focus of the project's final outcome.

Different story here in Oklahoma City. Check out this short video to see the 1:12 scale model of the Oklahoma City whitewater course - you'll not only get a sense for the actual whitewater but the process driving this incredible project'

Read more here: Designing Big League Whitewater in Oklahoma City (http://blog.usack.org/blog/bid/345043/Designing-Big-League-Whitewater-in-Oklahoma-City)

This by far my favorite MAPS project. I can not wait to try it out! What a jewel for OKC.

This by far my favorite MAPS project. I can not wait to try it out! What a jewel for OKC.I am not sure what my favorite MAPS3 project would be. I'm thinking the convention center. ;)

Ok, I was just kidding. Either the streetcar or this project. I will frequent this place!!!!!

I am not sure what my favorite MAPS3 project would be. I'm thinking the convention center. ;)

Ok, I was just kidding. Either the streetcar or this project. I will frequent this place!!!!!

Will you follow the speed limit on the course, plupan? :)

Anybody catch The Amazing Race tonight?

Will you follow the speed limit on the course, plupan? :)I'll try, but I think that is up to the flow of the water man, not me ;)

I'll try, but I think that is up to the flow of the water man, not me ;)

Well, just in case. I'm going to let you go before I do so I don't get run over.

Anybody catch The Amazing Race tonight?

Saw a minute of it.just happened to see the part with the whitewater course on it. Where is that?

Will you follow the speed limit on the course, plupan? :)

Getting through faster is pretty much encouraged, there probably will be a group of olympic hopefuls that tries to do that most days of the year

Saw a minute of it.just happened to see the part with the whitewater course on it. Where is that?

The UAE outside of Abu Dhabi. Wadi Adventure (http://www.wadiadventure.ae/)

New (but poor quality) renderings for this project, which is scheduled to begin construction in March 2014:



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/whitewater112513a.JPG


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/whitewater112513b.JPG

This is easily my 2nd favorite MAPS 3 project.

What a great birthday gift!

New (but poor quality) renderings for this project, which is scheduled to begin construction in March 2014:



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/whitewater112513a.JPG


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/whitewater112513b.JPG


I think originals those are copies of was in the agenda of either the Riverfront Redevelopment Authority or the Oklahoma River Subcommittee about three or four months ago

^

Those are from the project report for tomorrow's Riverfront Development Authority meeting.

Right but they look like they just scanned a black and white print out from some of the reports a couple months ago the company designing it submitted
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3761/11058887883_bdaff6edab_o.jpg

That is still newer than anything previously posted.

This looks to be the final design, set for approval next week:



http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5220d1386905744-whitewater-facility-whitewater1.jpg




http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5221d1386905745-whitewater-facility-whitewater2.jpg




http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5222d1386905746-whitewater-facility-whitewater3.jpg




http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5223d1386905747-whitewater-facility-whitewater4.jpg




http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5224d1386905748-whitewater-facility-whitewater5.jpg




http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5225d1386905749-whitewater-facility-whitewater6.jpg




http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5226d1386905750-whitewater-facility-whitewater7.jpg




http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5227d1386905751-whitewater-facility-whitewater99.jpg

I think this facility will have a huge impact on our fair city. It will be a strong regional draw if not somewhat national.

This is a screen capture from the following video, that shows a conceptual hotel just north of the whitewater course.

Also, the video shows a scale model made by the company that is doing the design for this project.

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5683d1388446015-whitewater-facility-whitewatermodel.jpg


s2o Design - Oklahoma City Whitewater Course on Vimeo (http://vimeo.com/74250628)

Now picture mid to high-rise luxury residentials directly across the river where the railyard is. OKC dream.

Would prefer such housing over by Robinson where the streetcar may actually extend to someday...

Now picture mid to high-rise luxury residentials directly across the river where the railyard is. OKC dream.

Looking at Pete's screenshot, I can actually see the plans for Stage Center fitting in perfectly here with 14 story hotel and 8 story housing. You could have the indoor waterpark on the ground levels of the hotel in lieu of a huge parking garage.

Would prefer such housing over by Robinson where the streetcar may actually extend to someday...

Surely by the time OKC is ready for high rise residential, the streetcar will make the boat district... Right?!

Actually, I guess the only way would be via Boulevard. And that is pretty doubtful. So nevermind. Back to my dream.

Hey I'm right there with you in that dream, just thinking ahead about the likely transit options...

Is that pictured hotel in a piece of land large enough for the Great Wolf Lodge type development?

Is that pictured hotel in a piece of land large enough for the Great Wolf Lodge type development?

The land the proposed hotel is on is slightly longer east/west than the standard city block downtown (maybe an extra 20%), it is the same length north/south as the standard downtown block

Application for two building permits totalling $3.8 million for this project.

The official timeline calls for site work to commence in March and for the project to be complete in June 2015.

$16.6 million building permit application today for this project.

They should start moving on this very soon.

$16.6 million building permit application today for this project.

They should start moving on this very soon.

Great ! I think this facility will be a game changer.

This is going to be so nicely visible from I-35.

Good news but I still wonder why this is slated ahead of the park or the streetcar. Sure the white water facility is small potatoes money-wise in comparison and can be done concurrently with other projects but just dont like that the park and streetcar are the last priority when they were probably the most popular of the MAPS projects.

Good news but I still wonder why this is slated ahead of the park or the streetcar. Sure the white water facility is small potatoes money-wise in comparison and can be done concurrently with other projects but just dont like that the park and streetcar are the last priority when they were probably the most popular of the MAPS projects.

I think all of the land for the Whitewater facility was already acquired around the time this was proposed for the MAPS project in 2009. The park is being done in phases with the first phase to start next year. I believe the delay on this is due to aquiring properties and the Salvation Army not moving until August or later. Also, they are still figuring out what to do with the old Film Exchange building. They are still going through the process of obtaining the Santa Fe Train Station and construction on that and the new lines for phase one will start next year as well with the streetcar set to be up and running by 2016, I believe. These things HAVE to be done in phases, otherwise we would have a mountain of debt and pay it off with interest. I like how everything is being done in phases so we will see a little bit of everything started instead of one project completed and then people complain about something else not being done.

Good news but I still wonder why this is slated ahead of the park or the streetcar. Sure the white water facility is small potatoes money-wise in comparison and can be done concurrently with other projects but just dont like that the park and streetcar are the last priority when they were probably the most popular of the MAPS projects.

This is strictly a guess, but perhaps those in control are looking for a relatively quick product/win to promote before the real work goes into the more contentious areas that will potentially have cost overruns, property disputes (i.e. Film Exchange). I don't know of many people who are opposed to the great things going on in the boathouse district. This could give the MAPS some overwhelmingly positive press.

This facility could also be somewhat of a revenue generator, where a park generally is not.

Maybe they just want to get it going before Ed Shadid tries to stop it like he has every other maps project other than the sidewalks. Can't see how this slipped off his radar as being more useful then the streetcar or convention center he's protesting...

On a positive note, this is going to be awesome.

Perhaps because this is already an active facility for rowing sports, they are setting up to broaden their brand by competing to host "scheduled" national events or to be the premier U.S. Training facility for upcoming competitions like olympics. Just a guess, but I could see this being driven by the broader schedule for the whitewater community.

from what I've gathered from unscientific research from friends outside of my normal "pro-OKC" group (read: those who don't pay much attention to civics or care to vote), when they first found out about this they were VERY enthused, so to call this less popular than the park or streetcar is a big stretch.

This will be the crown jewel of MAPS3 (sorry streetcar people)

The timing may also be due to the summer Olympics.

It will take a year to get this facility built, which will allow it to be used before the next summer games in 2016 (Rio).

Not sure if the plan is to host the Olympic trials but remember the national governing body for Olympic canoeing and kayaking is now headquartered in OKC.

The timing may also be due to the summer Olympics.

It will take a year to get this facility built, which will allow it to be used before the next summer games in 2016 (Rio).

Not sure if the plan is to host the Olympic trials but remember the national governing body for Olympic canoeing and kayaking is now headquartered in OKC.

It would be a great for OKC to host the Olympic Trials. I worked at the World Championship on the Ocoee River several years ago and it was a great event. Winning the trials would further validate the MAPS3 projects as being great quality of life enhancements for OKC residents AND places that continue to elevate the city's stature among its peers.

So how will this course compare to the one in Charlotte, say? (I know to some on this board it won't hold a candle, because it's in Charlotte of course!!) But just thought I'd ask since that's really the only other one I know what to compare ours to. And I know there are renderings, but if anyone has some inside scoop on what they hope is the finished product. I mean there are very few facilities like this in the country, so this will be a pretty big deal if it is well executed.

So how will this course compare to the one in Charlotte, say? (I know to some on this board it won't hold a candle, because it's in Charlotte of course!!) But just thought I'd ask since that's really the only other one I know what to compare ours to. And I know there are renderings, but if anyone has some inside scoop on what they hope is the finished product. I mean there are very few facilities like this in the country, so this will be a pretty big deal if it is well executed.

The setting simply cannot be as "nice" - meaning natural - as the NC facility. The Charlotte facility is adjacent to the Catawba River in a forest with rolling terrain. That being said, even though the mountain biking and hiking will be limited in the OKC facility, I think the whitewater course itself will be comparable and possibly better. We have a very unique opportunity to build what is normally an activity done in fairly remote areas in an urban setting. I can't think of anything else like it when you combine the whitewater with the rowing venue we will have. I am very excited about this project more than any other MAPS project except the streetcar.