Riverfront authority introduces new Riversport Foundation executive director; trustees approve consent items and permits

The Oklahoma City Riverfront Redevelopment Authority on Feb. 25 introduced Chris Sorensen as the new executive director of the Riversport Foundation and approved routine minutes, permits and agreements on a consent docket.

Chairman (name not specified in the public transcript) opened the meeting and asked Mike Knopf to introduce Sorensen. Mike Knopf, who said he served about 20 years as Riversport executive director, told trustees he will step back from day‑to‑day operations while continuing external outreach related to rowing and other initiatives. Knopf said Sorensen, who he said comes from the ski industry, had just started and was in the “fire hose” stage of onboarding.

“Chris Sorensen, originally from Oklahoma City... did 20 years in the ski industry,” Sorensen said, introducing himself and describing his return to Oklahoma City and enthusiasm for Riversport. Sorensen said he will take over day‑to‑day operations so Knopf can focus on broader initiatives, including preparations tied to 2028 activities referenced by Knopf.

Trustees approved a series of routine items by voice vote, including acceptance of the minutes of the Dec. 17 meeting and a consent docket that included an oil and gas revenue report, a river corridor events update and a revocable permit with the Riversport Foundation for the OCU/UCO scrimmage scheduled in March. The board also approved a revocable permit for the OKCU Invitational in April and a local permit for the Go Girl Run OKC on March 22 (use of the Boathouse District, Regatta Park, Wiley Post Park and the Exchange Boathouse parking lot were included in the application). The board approved a first renewal of an agricultural grazing agreement with Sam Owens (three‑year increments are used) for property at 1420 S. Portland and a resolution accepting the annual inventory for the Oklahoma River rowing and canoe/kayak race course.

Melinda McMillan Miller, director of parks and recreation, briefed trustees about a police department review of a possible expansion of youth curfew boundaries to include Myriad Gardens, Scissortail Park, River Sport (Riversport) and other riverfront properties, and said foundation partners had been supportive so far. Miller said police would present incident counts and other data when the proposal returns for formal consideration, and she said the item would likely come back to council before the end of the year for consideration.

Trustees moved to accept the director's report; the motion passed by voice vote. The meeting adjourned after routine trustee comments.