TULSA, OK--(Marketwired - Sep 17, 2014) - AAON, Inc. (
A project of the George Kaiser Family Foundation ("GKFF"), A Gathering Place for Tulsa will transform nearly 100 acres of Tulsa's waterfront along the Arkansas River into a dynamic and active space when the project is completed. 66.5 acres will be completed within Phase 1 by late 2017. GKFF and numerous corporate and community philanthropists gave ownership of the $350 million park to River Parks Authority and is committed to ensure ongoing operation, maintenance and programming for the life of the park.
The park will be a central place for Tulsans to gather and enjoy for years to come. The park will blend nature and urban entertainment and include features such as a lodge, boathouse, nature walks, two land bridges connecting the two sides of River Parks, sporting areas and a pond.
AAON will have its name placed on focal points known as the Swing Hill Valley and Bridge at the park. The AAON Swing Hill Valley is an area that will connect through the valley path between River Parks and the Pedestrian Bridge and leads to the ONEOK Boathouse. The small bridge behind Swing Hill will be constructed with black locust wood, a very strong and rot-resistant lumber.
Norman H. Asbjornson, President and CEO of AAON, stated, "We want to be a part of this transformational project in our headquarters' community. A Gathering Place will be a tremendous asset to the City of Tulsa and its surrounds, enhance the quality of life of area residents, become a significant tourist attraction and provide a substantial positive impact on the local economy."
Mr. Asbjornson continued, "As it relates to AAON, in particular, over 1,300 of our total 1,700 employees live in the Tulsa area and we want them and their families to enjoy and personally identify with the park and its many offerings."
AAON, Inc., a public company, is a manufacturer of air conditioning and heating equipment consisting of rooftop units, chillers, outdoor mechanical rooms, air handling units, makeup air units, energy recovery units, commercial self-contained units and coils. Its products serve the new construction and replacement markets. The company has successfully gained market share through its "semi-custom" product lines, which offer the customer value, quality, function, serviceability and efficiency. AAON operates nearly 1.5 million square feet of office and manufacturing space in Tulsa and Longview, TX.
For more information, please visit www.aaon.com .
Contact: Eric Taylor Phone: 918-583-2266 Email: marketing@aaon.com
