FORT SMITH, Ark. — The City of Fort Smith voted to approve the purchase of more waterslides for the expansion of Parrot Island Waterpark on July 9.
Sebastian County Administrator Mark Allen said that the county would have a vote to approve funding before the project moves forward.
Justice of the Peace members will be discussing the county's side of funding the purchase of the water slides and installation on July 16.
The company that manages the waterpark, American Resort Management (ARM), was in Fort Smith recently to review the park's condition. City and county leaders were present during the review.
Deputy City Administrator for Fort Smith Jeff Dingman said that the city is purchasing the slides at a discounted rate.
"An opportunity has come up from the manufacturer of a slide complex to where there's a rather large slide complex available to us at a very good price, and so this is our opportunity to kickstart the expansion," Dingman said.
While discussing the future of the waterpark, ARM CEO Rick Coleman mentioned five slides were available at "an aggressive discount." The slides were originally built for a waterpark in Florida but didn't end up being installed.
The city says the five slides fit into the waterpark's long-term expansion plans. Purchasing these slides will speed up the expansion and improve the waterpark's activities, "further solidifying its position as a premier water park" in the region.
The slides will cost the city $2.1 million, which will come from the Unobligated General Fund Balance.
The funding for the slides and installation would be split between the City of Fort Smith and Sebastian County.
"The overall cost is $4.2 million," Dingman said. "The city and the county would each be responsible for $2.1 million of that. We're equal partners in this project with Sebastian County. "
Dingman added that he believes the citizens of Fort Smith would like the expansion. The park has seen an influx of visitors this year, according to Dingman.
"The attendance that we've seen over this this year and last year, we've had record numbers of attendees every day," Dingman said. "And the park is popular, not only within the city and the county, but throughout the region."
To learn more about the plans, click here.
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