FORT SMITH (KFSM) — Parrot Island Waterpark announced the financial numbers for its first year on Thursday night (Oct. 29).
Despite making around $30,000 less the park expected, city officials said the numbers could have been much worse based on the amount of rainfall over the summer. Originally, the park projected an income of $463,986, and it fell short of that goal, bringing in $430,137.
“The budgeted expenses were well below that, so overall, it was actually an increase from what we anticipated because they did a good job of holding expenses well below what the anticipation was,” Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders said.
Sanders said the park ended up spending $300,000 dollars less than it budgeted. The expense budget was $1,471,460, but only $1,102,312 was actually spent.
Next year is predicted to level off and be about the same as 2015.
“Anticipating that a lot of people will say, ‘Ok, we’ve been there, may not go back as many times in the summer,’ but there are still a lot of people that haven’t been to Parrot Island,” Mayor Sanders said.
Park general manager Bill Miller said the money brought in this year means the park can begin expanding.
‘”The best part about what we presented tonight was really that we met our expectations that we needed to meet this year,” Miller said. “We’re able to put money away for future expansion.”
A larger park might be in the works later, but Miller said guests can expect several additions next season.
“We’re talking about doing some shaved ice at the water park, so all those things that you knew from last year, there’s always going to be a little twist to them come this next season,” Miller said.
Miller also added that daily ticket prices are staying the same, but season pass prices will be raised to make up for the minimum wage increase.
