If the Oklahoma River is positioned to be the future of Downtown Oklahoma City, then Chesapeake Boathouse is its anchor. As the first structure on the banks of the newly revitalized river — no longer “a ditch” — the $3.5 million boathouse rightly has been hailed by city leaders as a landmark presence.

The 14,578-square-foot facility is a project of the Oklahoma Association for Rowing — a non-profit community organization offering rowing programs for junior, adult, and collegiate row...