The ceremony culminated in a raft breaking through a ribbon stretching across one of the channels, ushering in a new era of high-energy active entertainment next door to downtown and Bricktown.
“RIVERSPORT Rapids is the biggest MAPS 3 project to open to date and it’s one of the most unique projects of its kind in the world – an Olympic-quality whitewater rafting course located in an urban center,” said Mayor Cornett. “RIVERSPORT Rapids offers a healthy, fun, outdoor experience for families, a training site where young people from Oklahoma City will develop into Olympic-caliber athletes, and an economic development driver for recreational tourism as well as competitions for elite athletes from around the globe.”
“It’s incredible to think in downtown Oklahoma City you can ride a zip line across the Oklahoma River, navigate rope bridges up a towering Sky Trail, bungee jump in an 80-foot free fall, race down 72-foot-tall spiral slides and now experience world-class whitewater rafting with your family,” said Councilman Pettis.
The Boathouse Foundation will operate the new whitewater center and will offer recreational rafting, kayaking and tubing along with adventure activities.
The grand opening is set for May 7-8 with the Team USA Road to Rio Tour presented by Liberty Mutual Insurance, and the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Canoe/Kayak Slalom.
About RIVERSPORT Rapids
The MAPS 3 RIVERSPORT Rapids whitewater rafting and kayaking center in the Boathouse District features two recirculating channels of Class II-IV whitewater rapids, churned by pumps moving 492,000 gallons of treated water per minute.
Anyone age 8 and up of any skill level can enjoy the experience. The channels can operate at different classes, offering a slower and more recreational experience in one channel while simultaneously offering a more challenging experience for advanced paddlers in the other.
Every whitewater experience starts with an orientation session led by a professional guide. You’ll learn about the equipment, paddling tips and techniques, safety and everything else you need to know to paddle down the rapids.
A conveyor belt pulls the rafts and kayaks to a reservoir, where adventurers can choose the recreational or experienced channel.
The $45.2 million RIVERSPORT Rapids center was funded by the MAPS 3 sales tax. The Oklahoma River Improvements project also included upgrades to the flat-water rowing facilities that have already been completed.
About MAPS 3 MAPS 3 is a $777 million capital improvement program to improve the quality of life in Oklahoma City. It is funded by a 1-cent 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.
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