Major improvements usher in Wake Zone's transition into Lost Lakes Amphitheater and Water Park

click to enlarge Major improvements usher in Wake Zone's transition into Lost Lakes Amphitheater and Water Park
Garett Fisbeck
Water slide at Lost Lakes Amphitheater and Water Park in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016.

For five years, Oklahoma City residents have visited a good location to learn and practice wakeboarding and CrossFit activities. Soon, owners said, it will be even better.

Wake Zone, a wakeboard cable park at 3501 NE 10th St., is transforming into Lost Lakes Amphitheater and Water Park, a larger outdoor venue spanning 800 acres along the North Canadian River from 10th to NE 23rd streets close to Sooner Road. Development and improvement plans include equine events, a music complex, an amphitheater, festival grounds, camping, motocross, trails, river activities, paintball, hydroboarding and cable wakeboarding, CrossFit and more.

Owners Roger Skeen and his son Garret Skeen said they brought in two new partners, Brad White and Albert Neece. Together, they recently signed a lease with the Oklahoma City Riverfront Redevelopment Authority to facilitate the expansion.

“Our plans with the new addition are to add a motocross track, horse trails and a BMX track,” Roger Skeen said.

The group also will improve the original 130 acres containing two lakes.

Lost Lakes Amphitheater and Water Park celebrates its grand opening Aug. 19 with its DayDream outdoor music festival featuring electronic dance music acts Galantis, Snails, Ghastly and more. Doors open 5:30 p.m. at the venue’s new Lost Lakes Amphitheater, 3501 NE 10th St. Tickets are $25-$60.

click to enlarge Major improvements usher in Wake Zone's transition into Lost Lakes Amphitheater and Water Park
Garett Fisbeck
Ampitheatre at Lost Lakes Amphitheater and Water Park in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016.

Garrett Skeen said they already are advertising and promoting events to communities across a five-state area.

“We think that we can become a major new venue for big events, especially since we have the room and because we are close to downtown,” he said. “There are events planned right now through 2018.”

Music, jetpacks

The added terrain along both sides of the river allows Lost Lakes to develop equine-related activities for guests. The Skeens said they are collaborating with the owner of a small, neighboring farm to transform existing barns into stables.

The added acreage also allows for a motocross course and ample event space on the flat overflow sections along both sides of the existing river channel.

Just beyond the channel and flood dikes are tree-covered creek areas that will be turned into camping areas for those who have come for big, multiple-day events, owners said. At the same time, existing property will receive a makeover.

The cable wakeboard course that pulls participants through a course of jumps comprises the park’s core. It was first used during USA Cable Wakeboard National Championships in 2012. That event was so popular, the Skeens soon included the course as a full-time activity. It will be improved and other water attractions will be added to the second lake, which is now being dredged to deepen it and improve safety for a waterslide feature that’s now under construction.

click to enlarge Major improvements usher in Wake Zone's transition into Lost Lakes Amphitheater and Water Park
Garett Fisbeck
Cable park at Lost Lakes Amphitheater and Water Park in Oklahoma City, Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016.

The Skeens said they teach about 40 people daily at the cable park and book birthday, corporate and church events.

In addition, the larger lake will be used for hydroboarding, which uses jetpack-like water propulsion to send riders into the air.

A new bar will be incorporated into a bigger music venue and amphitheater on the shore of the larger lake, and a floating “island bar” will be created from the hull of an old houseboat the Skeens bought.

The water slide and music pavilion will be finished in time for the Aug. 19 grand opening. The Skeens said all other attractions should be completed by May 2017.

Due to its centralized location, the venue already is a popular pick for health and cross-fit programs, and the owners said organizations book annual mud run-style fitness events. One group, Rugged Maniac, organizes an annual 5K obstacle run event and recently secured a three-year agreement to hold its future events at Lost Lakes Amphitheater and Water Park.

Visit lostlakesamp.com or call 405-702-4040 for more information.

Print headline: Found fun, Wake Zone transforms into Lost Lakes, an 800-acre music and festival venue, waterpark and outdoor entertainment mecca.

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