OKC Officials Break Ground On MAPS 3 Whitewater Center

City officials picked up their oars Monday to break ground on the highly anticipated Whitewater Center.

Monday, October 20th 2014, 7:58 pm

By: News 9

OKC Officials Break Ground On MAPS 3 Whitewater Center

By Jessica Holley, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY - City officials picked up their oars Monday to break ground on the highly anticipated Whitewater Center. The project is on a tight deadline to be ready in time to potentially host the 2016 Olympic trials.

The $45.6 million project was named the 'Riversport Rapids: OKC Whitewater Rafting and Kayaking Center' on Monday.

It's set to open in the spring of 2016. It'll not only be for families to enjoy whitewater rafting and canoeing but also a center of training for Olympic hopefuls.

“Today the whitewater community that I represent it believes in Oklahoma City. I get goose bumps standing on this sight of what a whitewater course means to the community,” said Joe Jacobi, Former CEO, US Canoe and Kayak & 1992 Olympic gold medalist.

The park will feature two channels, offering rafting and kayaking for beginners and experts. A third channel will feature freestyle boats.

This project is one of the many MAPS 3 project intended to be an economic driver and improve the quality of life in Oklahoma City.

Project leaders said when it's done, the facility will put Oklahoma City on the map with a whitewater facility blocks away from downtown amenities.