OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Citizens of Oklahoma City voted yesterday to pass Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS 3), a continuance of the one-cent tax that originally funded the rejuvenation of the Oklahoma River and which has been instrumental in the positive momentum of the city. The projects approved on December 8 include an estimated $60 million in improvements to the Oklahoma River. A total of $777 million is expected to be raised within the next ten years.
"The success of the MAPS 3 vote is an exciting milestone for Oklahoma City," said Mike Knopp, Executive Director of the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation. "It showcases Oklahoma City's commitment to building a world-class city and a world-class venue that will advance both the sports of rowing and canoe kayak and our position as a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic training site for years to come."
The Oklahoma River improvements include the construction of permanent grandstands with a floating stage, additional racecourse infrastructure and starting system, scoreboard and sound system, wind screens on the south shore of the river, permanent lighting for night racing, expanded parking and staging areas including boat ramps and docks, and Lincoln Bridge elevators and stairways. In addition, a whitewater kayak and rafting center will be constructed adjacent to the river.
In addition, the MAPS 3 project will include a 70-acre central park in downtown Oklahoma City, downtown commuter rail, convention hall, sidewalks, 57 miles of biking and walking trails, a health and wellness aquatic center for senior citizens and an upgrade to the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds.
"The MAPS 3 vote in Oklahoma City represents a community coming together to build a better future that includes sport and recreation," said USRowing CEO Glenn Merry. "We are happy to be part of the legacy that will grow out of that. The riverfront development project is ambitious and visionary. I continue to be moved by the people of Oklahoma City to lead a stronger national governing body that engages the future in addition to reviving our great traditions."
USRowing named Oklahoma City as the site for its National High Performance Center in October 2008. The center incorporates all aspects of elite-athlete training and performance with intensive coaching, sports nutrition, strength and cardiovascular conditioning, sports psychology and sports medicine. It emphasizes the use of performance technology to systematically improve the athletes' chances in international competition.
Additional Links
http://www.okc.gov/maps3/
http://www.chesapeakeboathouse.org
http://okchighperformance.blogspot.com/
http://oklahomariver.blogspot.com/