Oklahoma City officially opened the OKANA Resort and Indoor Waterpark with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking a major milestone for the city’s tourism industry and the Chickasaw Nation’s economic development efforts.
The $400 million development in the Horizons District, next to the First Americans Museum (FAM), is the most expensive commercial investment in Oklahoma City history. With over 400 rooms, a conference center and an indoor waterpark, OKANA is expected to drive tourism and economic growth.
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt spoke about the resort’s impact on the city’s visitor economy, which attracts 24 million visitors annually and generates $4.5 billion in economic impact. “The opening of OKANA is another quantum leap forward,” Holt said. “Never again will we be a city you just pass through.”
Holt also highlighted OKANA’s proximity to FAM. “This is not just a beautiful and fun resort—it has a deeper meaning,” he said. “One of the primary diversions for guests will be the opportunity to visit FAM just steps away.”
Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby detailed the project’s economic impact. “The first-year economic impact is projected at $97 million, and over the next decade, it is expected to exceed $1 billion,” he said. “We have already surpassed our initial employment projections, with over 500 people working at the resort.”
