Fort Smith Board tables action on $4.2 million waterpark expansion, lease proposal

The Fort Smith Board of Directors on Tuesday (Aug. 6) tabled a vote on spending $4.2 million to expand the Parrot Island Waterpark, and tabled a vote on a waterpark lease proposal with Sebastian County.

Opened in 2015, Parrot Island Waterpark in the Ben Geren Regional Park 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. Sebastian County and the city have a joint venture agreement with the waterpark and have since 2015 shared the capital costs for the facility.

The Fort Smith Board on July 9 approved spending $2.1 million for its part of a park expansion with the hope that Sebastian County would do the same. The $4.2 million expansion would add five slides – a connected slide complex that includes two tube slides, two mat racers and one body slide. The Sebastian County Quorum Court voted against the expenditure at its regular board meeting July 16 and again at a special meeting July 25.

Tuesday’s board agenda included a resolution authorizing a lease agreement with Sebastian County for the County’s half ownership interest and responsibility of the waterpark, creating a situation where the city becomes solely responsible for the operation and maintenance of the park. With not enough detail about a lease structure, the agenda item was tabled to a future meeting.

The second waterpark item on Tuesday’s agenda is an ordinance that would allow the city to initiate the purchase of the $4.2 million water slide complex through American Resort Management (ARM), including making a down payment of 30% of the purchase price in the amount of $1.26 million. ARM is contracted by the city and county to manage the park.

The down payment will secure the slides for the park and initiate shipping the slides to Fort Smith, which will also be at the city’s expense. If the purchase is approved, another 30% of the purchase price is due upon delivery, and the remaining 40% of the purchase price is due upon the completion of the slide complex installation.

Several residents spoke against the appropriation, saying there are better things the city can spend its money on. One person who spoke said it was “distasteful timing” to push for a $4.2 million waterpark expansion so soon after raising water rates. Director George Catsavis said he opposes spending money on the slides.

Several directors expressed support for the waterpark expansion, even if reluctantly, and with their thoughts on the county’s lack of support.

“To be quite honest the attitude and political mindset of the county showed that though almost half were for the improvements, more than half were against. They had agendas. Some of that is legitimate with real concerns – employee raises and jail. That is why the county just isn’t in the mindset for moving forward with the city,” noted Director André Good.

He added, “I don’t want to have to pay the whole amount, the whole $4.2 million, but because of the attitude and decision of the (Sebastian County) quorum court, this is the option we have.”

Director Jarred Rego said waterpark visitor numbers show that 70% of users come from outside of the city. Of that, 30% comes from Northwest Arkansas, he said.

“There is the funding to do this that does not have a negative impact on other investments in the city. Are we a city that invests in ourselves or reinvests in ourselves or do we argue among ourselves?” Rego said.

He also said he is not for “releasing the county from their obligations,” and is not yet sure he can support any lease proposal.

The board asked that city administration seek a better price on the slides that can be brought to the board for discussion.