Oklahoma River World’s First Permanently Lit Racecourse

canoe kayak race course regatta sprint light permanent lit usa oklahoma river sportscene sandridge icf maps 3

The Oklahoma River became the world’s first permanently lit racecourse June 29 in Oklahoma City. A ceremony marked the occasion during the second annual SandRidge Energy Stars and Stripes River Festival. Funds for the lights came from MAPS 3, a 10-year, $777 million construction program designed to improve the quality of life in Oklahoma City. It is funded by a one-cent sales tax initiative that began in April 2010 and ends in December 2017.

“The goal of MAPS 3 is to improve the quality of life in Oklahoma City, so I’d say we are off to a great start with this project,” said Mayor Cornett. “The stadium lights won’t just attract elite Olympic athletes. Families and community groups will have plenty of opportunities to get on the water under the lights with rowing, kayaking, dragon boating and stand up paddle boarding. It will be a new way to experience the Oklahoma River.”

“This is the perfect example of a tremendously successful public-private partnership,” Cornett added. “It is fitting that our first completion ceremony be at the Oklahoma River, which in my view, is a great symbol of progress and growth in Oklahoma City.”

canoe kayak race course regatta sprint light permanent lit usa oklahoma river sportscene sandridge icf maps 3 The SandRidge Energy Stars and Stripes River Festival includes a full day of family activities including the Riversport Challenge 500m kayak/5K run, RIVERSPORT Corporate Rowing and Dragon Boat League Championships, the Stars & Stripes Regatta for masters rowers, the Paddle for the Cure Dragon Boat Race, Olympic Day activities, a Rubber Duck Race and RIVERSPORT Adventures, as well as live music, food and fireworks.

The MAPS 3 Oklahoma River Improvements project includes lighting and windscreens for the first 500 meters of the racecourse, a starting system, starting docks, a judging platform, LED lighting, cameras, irrigation, buoy and cable improvements, cable crossover markers, a starting tower and more. It also includes a whitewater rafting facility and parking. The total budget for the MAPS 3 Oklahoma River improvements is $57.1 million. The lighting project cost approximately $3.2 million.

The whitewater rafting facility will be open to everyone from beginners to expert kayakers and is currently in design. Construction is expected to begin in 2014 with an opening scheduled for 2015.