From the Executive Director
Dear Friends,
2010 has been a remarkable year for the Oklahoma River and the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation – a year filled with milestone events and exciting developments that continue to bolster the momentum that we continue to enjoy. It is still hard to believe that just 10 years ago our vibrant Oklahoma River existed as a desolate landscape that was just beginning its historic transformation made possible by the original Metropolitan Area Projects. The vision of a single boathouse seemed like an insurmountable dream and our current U.S. Olympic Training Site was not navigable to any type of boat, let alone any level of training or competition.
It is with this perspective that we reflect on a year that firmly positioned Oklahoma City as a leader in the Olympic Movement while the Oklahoma River continued to blossom as a vital community asset and the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation’s master plan vision of a true “boathouse district” came to life. Some of 2010’s many highlights…
• The City of Oklahoma City transformed the shoreline to make way for the Boathouse District, carving out inlets, contouring the shoreline, creating a walkway along the river’s edge, and developing an expansive new parking area on 6th street
• Construction began on the Chesapeake Finish Line Tower, leading to a “topping out” celebration marked with the lifting of a 30-foot evergreen tree to the top and lighting it for the holidays
• The Oklahoma River was home to two national championship events hosted by OKCBF: The American Collegiate National Championship and the USA Canoe/Kayak National Championship
• OKCBF hosted Olympic Day on the Oklahoma River and became a leader in Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” initiative, attracting Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius to kick off a summer program that inspired scores of Oklahoma City kids to get active through running, cycling, and kayaking activities
• The OCU Head of the Oklahoma returned to the Boathouse District with thousands of spectators, a record number of athletes, and the spectacular OGE NightSprints
• The completion of the $10 million Devon Boathouse christened during the blu Party and now welcoming athletes as the most advanced high performance center for rowing and canoe/kayak in the world
• The continued expansion of opportunities for our youth, from the explosive growth of our Chesapeake Junior Crew program to the resounding success of the RIVERSPORT Youth High School League presented by Sandridge Energy
• The remarkable growth and success of the OKC National High Performance Center with 40 athletes in residence in Oklahoma City that is made a strong showing in international competition
• The announcement by USRowing that Oklahoma City will now be the official home the US National Lightweight Team and the Center for Advanced Coaching Education
…and you’ll find more highlights from 2010 in our new annual report [download].
These accomplishments would not be possible without the ongoing generous support of our corporate and philanthropic community and many dedicated volunteers. As we look to the future, the growing opportunities to maintain the momentum at Oklahoma River require additional community support, from organizations and individuals alike. To address our sustainability goals, we are expanding our efforts to seek financial support for our mission and vision and ask you consider being a part of the “Legacy Crew.” A one-time gift or ongoing pledge will help ensure a legacy of success for our OKCBF initiatives on the Oklahoma River. For your convenience, you may download a donor card, or contact me if you’re interested in learning more about the many ways you can support our efforts.
Just as the original MAPS river project inspired great hope and optimism with the impounding of water back into the river, we enter 2011 with launch of the MAPS 3 river projects and will witness the transformation of the Boathouse District continue though these upcoming milestones:
• 2011 will bring the largest event ever staged on Oklahoma River with the USRowing Masters Nationals along with the return of international racing with the USA Rowing World Challenge.
• The Devon Boathouse will offer new amenities for the public to experience (to be unveiled in January) along with the growing number of elite athletes relocating to Oklahoma City.
• The Chesapeake Finish Line Tower will also open as a gleaming new international rowing and canoe/kayak landmark and community gathering point.
• RIVERSPORT youth and community programming will continue an aggressive expansion with new programming an opportunities
• The Oklahoma River will glow under the light from the start of its MAPS 3 makeover that will make the Oklahoma River the only permanently lit rowing and kayaking course in the world
Thank you for your interest and support of the Oklahoma River and the OKC Boathouse Foundation. We are very fortunate to be experiencing first-hand this historic establishment of the Oklahoma River and the Boathouse District that will impact Oklahoma City and the Olympic Movement for generations to come.
Just like a crew pulling together to cross the finish line in first place, our community of supporters has propelled the Oklahoma River from a dream into to one of the leading rowing and kayaking destinations in the nation. I welcome you to join our crew in 2011 with your participation and support as we enter another era of Oklahoma River transformation and development.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of the OKC Boathouse Foundation, I wish you a very Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Mike Knopp
Executive Director
Click here to review our 2010 OKC Boathouse Foundation Annual Report