From the Executive Director

Boathouse District Bringing More Olympic-Inspired Fitness to OKC

In the wake of the 2012 Games in London, the Boathouse District is an exciting place to be. Hundreds of youth and adults from all walks of life are converging at the Oklahoma River each week, freshly inspired by the accomplishments of OKC’s 2012 Olympic and Paralympic rowers, and by the work of Team USA that placed America at the top of the medal count. The Olympic Spirit is alive and growing in our community. And when it comes to the sports at the Boathouse District, everyone can get involved.

Whether you want to get on the water with your family, are interested in a sport you or your children can be competitive in, or are looking for an inspired gym session, you can make it happen in the Boathouse District.

The combination of elite level training and community programs we offer is creating an active river culture that’s impacting people of all ages and abilities. This unique formula serves to inspire, as Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls train right alongside the community, both on and off the water.

As our elite athletes set their sights on the 2016 Games, we’ll be working to bring more of that Olympic excitement to the Boathouse District. With the addition of rock climbing, a stationary jumper for practicing aerials, and new state of the art indoor swimming, mountain biking, rowing and paddling machines to the newly renovated Chesapeake Boathouse, the Boathouse District is a one-stop sports scene where you can give everything a try.

While the spirit of the games embodies fitness and hard work, fun is a large part of the equation for getting the community active and outside. In the coming years we’ll be adding to the fun factor of our sports. Soon we’ll have the world’s tallest Sky Trail ropes course, creating a major attraction for outdoor fun and fitness seekers alike. Permanent river lighting thanks to MAPS 3 will be in for the spring competition season, giving us the chance to host night racing for all levels of competitors.

The addition of the SandRidge Youth Pavilion, complete with a dramatic gathering point for innovative youth programs, a zip line spanning 700 feet across the river, and even surfing will change the landscape of the Boathouse District. And one of the most-anticipated MAPS 3 projects, a whitewater center for kayaking and rafting, will take the Boathouse District to a whole new level as a sports and recreation destination, infusing a dynamic outdoor culture into downtown Oklahoma City as one of the best outdoor adventure venues in the nation.

In much the same way as the mountain side communities offer unique opportunities to inspire the Olympic dream through their landscape amenities, our whitewater center and river improvements will create a new culture that helps America return to the water sport Olympic podiums with Oklahoma talent.

We embrace the opportunity to affect change to create a community of healthy, active citizens, and to put OKC on the map as an Urban Adventure destination for tourists from across the country and around the world.

To those who’ve been with us so far in our incredible journey, you’ve got a front-row seat for all of the fun! And if you’ve not been to the Boathouse District, I invite you to stop by to see how you can get involved in the fitness and the fun and make the Boathouse District your own center for adventure.

Stay Active!

Sincerely,

Mike Knopp
Executive Director
OKC Boathouse Foundation