OKANA RESORT & INDOOR WATERPARK

The Chickasaw Nation sought to create an iconic resort that would redefine Oklahoma City as a top-tier destination. The vision centered on a high-end hotel, a cutting-edge indoor waterpark, and a scenic outdoor adventure lagoon, offering both thrilling and relaxing experiences for visitors of all ages. ADG’s planning team played a critical role in designing the layout, ensuring that every element—from water attractions to resort amenities—was seamlessly integrated into the overall experience. The ADG team focused on creating a dynamic and immersive environment that blends indoor and outdoor spaces with thoughtful vertical transitions. The indoor waterpark features dramatic arrival moments, including elevated entry points with sweeping views of the entire space, guiding guests through a carefully choreographed journey that unfolds across multiple levels. Architectural elements—like mezzanines, large glass walls, and integrated lighting—were deliberately used to augment the water features, creating a cohesive design where form and function support one another. The result is a guest experience that feels natural and intuitive, with every space—whether a river that flows beneath a mezzanine or a secluded kids' area tucked into the architecture—designed to feel like a deliberate part of the overall narrative, not just features placed inside a building.

With a budget of $400 million, the OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark project required strategic planning and expert execution. ADG worked to maximize value while ensuring high-quality attractions and amenities that would elevate the guest experience. To support this vision, ADG provided a comprehensive Development Cost Summary—a critical tool that outlined the full scope of costs across every stage of the project. This summary incorporated inputs from our engineering, design, and operations teams to ensure a holistic understanding of both initial capital expenditures and long-term operational implications. From major infrastructure and aquatic systems to details like hotel room artwork, pool decking, and beach chairs, ADG helped ownership see the full picture early on. This allowed for informed decision-making and budget alignment throughout the process, minimizing surprises and ensuring that every dollar spent contributed to a cohesive, high-impact guest experience that matched the client’s vision and operational goals.

ADG played a pivotal role in managing the construction of the indoor waterpark and outdoor adventure lagoon, overseeing everything from foundational work to ride installations. Our own traveling construction crew in Oklahoma kept the project moving efficiently, navigating challenges and maintaining progress to meet crucial deadlines. OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark officially opened to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 21, 2025, with the full outdoor lagoon area debuting just in time for summer on May 24.

As a leader in aquatic innovation, ADG supplied and integrated its WaveTek® wave generation system into the heart of OKANA’s indoor waterpark. The 6,200-square-foot wave pool delivers consistent, high-quality wave action. Renowned for durability, reliability, and customization, WaveTek systems are trusted by premier waterparks around the world—and now bring dynamic wave performance to OKANA’s year-round indoor venue. With WaveTek technology at its core, the indoor waterpark creates a powerful draw for thrill-seekers and leisure guests alike. 

ADG spearheaded the design and construction of OKANA’s water attractions, ensuring an immersive and dynamic guest experience from concept through completion. The indoor waterpark features a sprawling 100,000-square-foot footprint with a thoughtfully planned multi-level layout that maximizes space for both high-thrill rides and family-friendly play zones. Key amenities include a 420-foot lazy river, a sheet wave attraction, luxury cabanas, and an adult-only pool, all strategically positioned to offer excitement and relaxation for every age group. Outdoors, the 4.5-acre adventure lagoon serves as a stunning visual and recreational centerpiece, with pools, slides, lounge areas, and high-adrenaline elements like a freefall ‘cliff diving’ pool. ADG’s development services team meticulously coordinated all aspects of the build, from resort infrastructure to final detailing, ensuring the entire property was delivered on time, on brand, and ready for seamless operation. Complementing the aquatic elements, the resort also features a luxury hotel with riverfront and lagoon views, a state-of-the-art family entertainment center, spa, golf simulator, and conference facilities—offering a fully integrated destination experience.