The Oklahoma City Council on Tuesday approved final plans for permanent improvements to the whitewater facility at RIVERSPORT, 800 Riversport Drive.
The improvements will allow RIVERSPORT to improve operations and accommodate national and international competitions, including canoe slalom events.
The voter-approved $15 million in facility improvements is funded through the 2025 OKC Bond, with an additional $8.5 million in improvements campus-wide provided by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the Oklahoma Finance Authority through its Business Expansion Incentive Program.
The upgrades will enhance functionality, accessibility and the overall spectator experience at the 10-year-old whitewater facility.
Improvements will include:
- Construction of a large pavilion on the island between the two whitewater racing channels that will include an event space, food and beverage service, restrooms, storage, and shaded spectator seating with a capacity of 2,500 people.
- Improved site wayfinding and venue signage.
- Additional lighting.
- Enhanced AV and broadcast capabilities to support media coverage.
- Installation of On-Venue Results (OVR) technology for competition timing.
“Our city’s commitment to paddlesports going back two decades has brought us the Olympics and will continue to bring national and international events to Oklahoma City for decades to come,” Mayor David Holt said. “The latest investment in RIVERSPORT, passed by our voters in 2025, sustains our status as one of the paddlesport capitals of the world.”
Construction is expected to begin in late 2026 and last throughout 2027.
"These improvements are about much more than preparing for the Olympic Games,” RIVERSPORT Executive Director Chris Sorensen said. They're an investment in a venue that serves our community every day while giving Oklahoma City the ability to host the world's premier canoe slalom events for decades to come. We're excited to continue welcoming athletes, spectators and visitors from around the globe to RIVERSPORT."
Oklahoma City will be the site for the first LA 28 Olympic event when canoe slalom competition begins July 14, 2028, at RIVERSPORT and continues through July 22. Softball events will follow at Devon Park from July 23–27.
About RIVERSPORT
RIVERSPORT Whitewater Center is a $45.2 million facility built as part of MAPS 3. Opened in May 2016 in the Boathouse District, the center includes an Olympic-caliber racecourse that has hosted U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Canoe Slalom (2016 and 2024) and Kayak Cross (2024), the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships (2026) and the LA28 Olympic host site for the Canoe Slalom competition.
RIVERSPORT offers rafting, tubing, and whitewater kayaking for the public, along with competitive canoe/kayak and rowing programs for youth and adults. It has been a U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Site since 2009.
About the 2025 OKC Bond Program
In 2025, Oklahoma City voters approved a historic $2.7 billion general obligation bond. The bond package includes 547 projects, 433 of which are investments in the City's streets, bridges and traffic improvements.