Photo Credit: Georgia Read / Read Studio Inc.
Oklahoma’s new 11-acre whitewater park is an exciting addition to the existing training and rowing facilities within the city’s vibrant Boathouse District. The Riversport Rapids Whitewater Center is one of only three of its kind in the U.S., and is a key component of the city’s ongoing economic-development effort to revitalize the riverfront, promote health and recreation activities, and attract competitive events. The $45.2-million center, part of Oklahoma City’s MAPS 3 program, opened last May when it hosted the Olympic canoe and kayak slalom trials for the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Boathouse District is the headquarters for the USA Canoe and Kayak Federation, and is designated as a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center. The whitewater park, funded as part of the city’s one-cent tax initiative, can accommodate up to 40,000 visitors and will continue to serve as an Olympic training center in addition to providing water sports and recreation for local, regional, and out-of-state guests.
Urban Rapids
In realizing the vision for such a grand venue, the landscape master plan and design was purposefully developed to build excitement and engagement, whether for visitors, spectators, or athletes. In addition, the team managed unique technical challenges as presented by a space-limited, 11-acre site in integrating channels, architecture, and site into a well-functioning whole.