Tourism destination planned by Chickasaw Nation has a new name: the Horizons District
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The Chickasaw Nation, which joined Oklahoma City in completing the First Americans Museum and is developing the $400 million OKANA resort, is about to launch a campaign promoting the area as the Horizons District.
The district encompasses 180 acres along the Oklahoma River between Eastern Avenue and Interstate 35 where other potential future additions include an aquarium being studied by the Oklahoma City Zoo.
"We believe it is important to focus attention on what these two new tourism destinations bring to Oklahoma City," said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby. "We expect this marketing collaboration to augment the already significant economic impact of the various hospitality and entertainment venues along the Oklahoma River.”
What will be included in the new OKANA resort?
The First Americans Museum, also referred to as FAM, opened in 2021. The museum, spanning 175,000 square feet, showcases interactive exhibits and collective histories of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. OKANA, set to open in early 2025, will include a riverfront hotel, spa, outdoor adventure lagoon, amphitheater, indoor waterpark, restaurants, First Americans retail gallery, Family Entertainment Center and conference center.
Anoatubby said the new district will highlight First American heritage in a manner that will enhance the area's emerging reputation as a hub for cultural tourism and First American art.
“With OKANA and the FAM as side-by-side anchor attractions, we envision additional business, entertainment, and cultural development will follow,” Anoatubby said. “The Horizons District creates even greater synergy for drawing visitors and tourists to this world-class tourism and hospitality destination in central Oklahoma.”
OKANA completion is expected by spring 2025. The Chickasaw Nation estimates the 10-year economic impact of the development will exceed $1 billion.
Where construction on current projects stand
Construction on all four of the major components of the projects has started. The 11-story, 400-room hotel is proceeding on schedule; the conference center and indoor waterpark have gone vertical, and excavation, trenching and piping have begun on the adventure lagoon. Construction on the parking garage is scheduled to begin in late October.
The city is preparing to start construction of a pedestrian bridge and boat landing that will connect trails through Horizons on the south shore of the Oklahoma River with trails on the north shore and through the Boathouse District.
More: End of an era: OKC Zoo set to demolish Aquaticus, here's what's coming next
PGAV Destinations, meanwhile, is doing site analysis and conceptual designs for an aquarium with potential locations being in the Horizons District.
FAM Executive Director James Pepper Henry said he expects the museum to grow into one of the city’s top visitor destinations with the addition of OKANA. Since January, the museum has drawn an estimated 200,000 visitors from all 50 states and 31 countries.
“This district will be a one-of-a-kind cultural destination attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year from around the world,” Henry said. “This is an exciting development for Oklahoma and an opportunity to showcase the rich and diverse cultures of our state in one incredible location.”
Development of Horizons as a district coincides with a recent report by Visit OKC President Zac Craig that tourism has not just recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic but is setting new records.
“In Oklahoma City, visitors seek out our thriving districts, each with their own unique personalities and entertainment experiences,” Craig said. “I expect the Horizons District to be transformational for our destination, offering immersive entertainment options for both leisure and convention visitors, as well as being a catalyst for additional innovative developments along the Oklahoma River.”
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Chickasaw Nation to promote , OKANA, museum as the Horizons District
