Situated on the shores of the beautiful Oklahoma River, the Devon Boathouse and Chesapeake Finish Line Tower – featuring architectural metal products from CENTRIA - provide world class river sport facilities to the residents of Oklahoma City and the surrounding region. Over the past decade, the Oklahoma River has become a first-rate destination for competitive river sports. Since the river’s rejuvenation in 2004 and Oklahoma City’s subsequent appointment as the new headquarters of USA Canoe/Kayak, the river has attracted Olympic hopefuls and river sport enthusiasts with its state-of-the-art training facilities, race course and pristine waters.

Home to the Oklahoma City University Rowing Program and the OKC National High Performance Center, the Devon Boathouse is the anchor for the Boathouse District. Boathouse facilities include a fitness center, the world’s first dynamic rowing tank, an endless pool, high-altitude training room, weight and locker rooms, a boat storage and repair area as well as reception halls, event spaces and catering facilities. In addition, the facility offers classes and youth programs through the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation. An architectural gem, this $10 million facility creates a striking image against the backdrop of Oklahoma City’s downtown skyline as blue LED lighting accents the exterior of the boathouse at night.

Adjacent to the boathouse and towering four stories above the Oklahoma River is the equally stunning Chesapeake Finish Line Tower. This iconic tower meets both International Coach Foundation (ICF) canoe/kayak standards as well as International Federation of Rowing Associations racing standards and serves as the observation venue for races held on the river. The glass façade and open-plan design offers judges and spectators unparalleled 360 degree views of the race from start to finish. Facility features include a welcome center, media and race control, a VIP viewing gallery and an observation deck.

Designers behind the Devon Boathouse and Chesapeake Tower were able to achieve their sleek futuristic forms through the use of CENTRIA’s Formawall Dimension Series panels. Formawall panels create an aesthetically pleasing, exceptionally smooth building surface with mitered corner details and a concealed fixing system that produces sharp clean lines and corners. Designers chose a single color, Regal White, for both facilities creating a unified, modernistic and monochromatic aesthetic. Panels come in a wide variety of color and coating options and are available in flat and embossed surface treatments. For even more design options, panels can be curved or formed into a variety of shapes for design flexibility.

Formawall provides both advanced thermal and moisture protection (ATMP®) in a single panelized component decreasing both installation time and expenses. Panels offer a factory foamed-in-place core, minimizing insulation gaps and contributing to an impressive R-value of 14. Formawall’s unique design offers energy efficient measures, including a thermal break between the panel face and liner for efficient ‘U’ values; high-strength steel panels that offer increased spanning capabilities, saving on support costs; and airtight construction, reducing energy consumption. Trimless ends eliminate the requirement for extrusions or trims at panel joints, windows and other openings; and panels can be integrated with glazing, louvers and solar shading.

Finally, CENTRIA’s C/S Louvers, which are drainable and storm-resistant, integrate seamlessly with the Formawall Dimension Series panels and add both aesthetic value and advanced performance to the overall project.

The project architect was Elliot & Associates Architects of Oklahoma City, OK; the CENTRIA products dealer was W.J. Coe & Company Inc. of Oklahoma City, OK; the boathouse installer was B&B Steel of Houston, TX; the tower installer was NOW Specialties of Carrollton, TX; the boathouse contractor was Timberlake Construction of Oklahoma City, OK; and the tower contractor was Smith & Pickel Construction of Oklahoma City, OK.

CENTRIA products included:

• Formawall® Dimension Series® 2” Vertical Striated. Square Feet: 1,875; Color: Regal White; Finish: Smooth; Coating: Fluorofinish®; Gauge: 22.

• Formawall® Dimension Series® 2” Horizontal Striated. Square Feet: 10,592; Color: Regal White; Finish: Smooth; Coating: Fluorofinish®; Gauge: 22.

• C/S Louvers