Parrot Island Waterpark expansion in question after county rejects funding request

Fort Smith City Administrator Carl Geffken plans to meet with Sebastian County Judge Steve Hotz after the county’s Quorum Court rejected spending $2.1 million to support expansion of the Parrot Island Waterpark.

The City of Fort Smith Board of Directors July 9 approved spending $2.1 for its part of the park expansion with the hope that Sebastian County would approve doing the same. The Sebastian County Quorum Court voted against the expenditure at its regular board meeting Tuesday (July 16).

“While we had hoped that Sebastian County would approve the Parrot Island expansion, we understand that it would be a large expenditure,” said Josh Buchfink, Fort Smith public relations manager. “I know that (City Administrator Carl Geffken) is planning to meet with (Sebastian County Judge Steve Hotz) tomorrow to discuss what can be done moving forward.”

Deputy City Administrator Jeff Dingman said prior to the July 9 vote by the Fort Smith Board that the county would have to approve their 50% share of the funding, and that if they did not, the project would not go forward.

The slides, destined for a Florida park, are available at an “aggressive discount,” according to the city. Rick Coleman, CEO and founder of American Resort Management (ARM), during a recent meeting with city and county officials mentioned the availability of five slides that were manufactured for a water park in Florida.

Because those slides were not installed at the Florida park, they are now available at an “aggressive discount,” Geffken said in a memo on the slides. The connected slide complex includes two tube slides, two mat racers and one body slide, according to Drew Peterson, the park’s general manager.

Opened in 2015, Parrot Island Waterpark features the area’s only two-lane FlowRider and wave pool. It also has four twisting and turning water slides, a relaxing lazy river, activity pool and themed children’s aquatic play area, the park’s website states.