OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark
Oklahoma City, Okla.
COURTESY ESCAPE VISUALS
- Architect: ADCI
- Aquatic Consultant/Designer: Aquatic Development Group
- Pool/Spa/Water Feature Contractor: Aquatic Development Group
- General Contractor: Manhattan Construction Company
This waterpark resort was developed in collaboration with the Chickasaw Nation to complement nearby attractions such as the First Americans Museum, support regional tourism, and celebrate the Nation’s culture.
To do this, the designers developed a high-end resort with an indoor waterpark and outdoor adventure lagoon. They placed a high priority on balancing indoor and outdoor environments and guiding guests through the property in an intuitive fashion. For the latter, several vertical transitions and open sightlines were used, such as elevated entry points, mezzanines, and expansive glass walls, to connect areas.
COURTESY ESCAPE VISUALS
The resort includes 11 pools, including indoor, outdoor, and children’s options. The showpiece of this 404-suite resort is the 100,000 sq. ft. indoor waterpark. The largest in the region, the attraction features thrill slides, a 6,200 sq. ft. wave pool, a 420-ft. lazy river, a sheet wave, luxury cabanas, and an adult-only pool.
The outdoor adventure lagoon features seasonal attractions such as body slides, an inflatable obstacle course, a swim-up bar, and a “fly” pool where guests can zip, jump, and slide into the water. This space was also designed to offer a more relaxed experience, with a white-sand beach, cabanas, and poolside service.
The designers aimed to create a modern resort aesthetic influenced by Indigenous culture and storytelling, in tribute to the Chickasaw Nation’s heritage. Bright, energetic colors, combined with natural materials and clean, contemporary architecture, form this fusion. The use of art played a key role in combining the modern and indigenous: Works created by 28 First American artists are featured across guest rooms, hallways, and public spaces. Indigenous-made products are sold in retail spaces and used as in-room amenities to strengthen the cultural connection.
SUPPLIERS:
OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark
Oklahoma City, Okla.
- Filtration: Aquatic Development Group
- Slides: ProSlide Technology
- Wave Machines: WaveTek
- Furniture: Telescope Casual Furniture
- Floating Inflatables: Wibit Sports
