New waterslide tower set to be installed at Parrot Island

Work is set to begin on installing a new waterslide complex at Parrot Island Waterpark at Ben Geren Regional Park that is estimated to support overall park activity for 600 more visitors.

The Fort Smith Board of Directors agreed March 4 to authorize about $500,000 to pay installation costs, leading the way for four new slides to be active sometime this summer.

The approval of an ordinance authorizing the mayor to execute a contract with CSM Waterworks Inc. for installation of the waterslide components at a price that is not to exceed $509,500 came with discussion and disagreement among the board. The vote was 4-3 in favor of the ordinance with George Catsavis, Christina Catsavis, and Neal Martin voting against it.

However, the appropriation is not a new cost to the city. The board voted in 2024 to pay $4.2 million for the slide complex after originally voting to pay $2.1 million for the slides while Sebastian County paid the other $2.1 million. When the Sebastian County Quorum court did not approve paying their portion of the cost, the city board passed a resolution to pay the entire purchase price.

The waterpark in the Ben Geren Regional Park opened in 2015. Sebastian County and the city have had a joint venture agreement with the waterpark and have shared the capital costs for the facility since 2015.

The $500,000 for installation was included in the original financial agreement of $4.2 million, the board was told March 4. The appropriation is not new and will not affect the approved budget for the year. The ordinance simply allows the city to “pay its bill” that was agreed to when the issue passed in 2024 and to go with the particular installation vendor, according to the city.

Waterpark officials announced Monday (March 10) that planning is underway for the addition of the five brand-new waterslides.

“As part of Parrot Island’s ongoing commitment to deliver big thrills and fun to the community, these upcoming attractions will bring fresh excitement to guests of all ages,” a news release said.

The slide tower will launch five waterslides from two platforms and includes two inner tube rides making their world debut at Parrot Island Waterpark: Topspin and Nautilus.

Phase one of the project will include four slides plus a new shaded seating area that will accommodate about 600 additional guests. The new slides on the 60-foot tower also include Head Rush, a mat racer in two flumes featuring surprising bursts of light,  and the Flatline Loop, a high-thrill body slide that has the rider plunging into a free fall from an AquaLaunch capsule and into a horizontal translucent loop at 31 mph.

“The Topspin inner tube slide will allow for one to two riders and features high-banking bowl rotations and a corkscrew descent,” the news release said. “After vibrant AquaLucent bursts, they plunge into a second open Topspin before finishing 554 feet from the start.”

The approximate ride duration is 29 seconds, with top speeds of about 16.78 mph.

Two Head Rush slides, Topspin and Flatline Loop, will be installed this year and will be available at some point during the 2025 season, the news release said. The fifth slide, Nautilus and its 90-degree turn experience, will be installed after the 2025 season and is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

“The fifth slide will be different from what was originally planned due to a patent infringement lawsuit,” said Josh Buchfink, public relations manager for the City of Fort Smith. “The new slide is valued at $200,000 more than the slide originally purchased, but Whitewater is providing it without any additional cost.”

Parrot Island Waterpark features the region’s only two-person tube slide, FlowRider, wave pool, and lazy river, along with waterslides, an activity pool, and a themed children’s aquatic play area. The outdoor waterpark is open mid-May through Labor Day.

“We’re excited to be working together with the city of Fort Smith and American Resort Management to bring to life a slide tower packed with so many different experiences,” said Jordanna Bower, vice president of business development at WhiteWater. “Parrot Island will have a body slide for daredevils, a mat racer for friendly competition, and with world-firsts Nautilus and Topspin, thrilling inner tube rides for shared memories.”

In 2023, the park showed an operating net gain of $129,827. In 2024, it showed a net gain of $156,180, according to city records.

“These two years are typical, as Parrot Island usually covers its operating expenses and achieves a net gain by the end of the year,” Buchfink said. “Normal park maintenance is included in these reports and is covered by the park’s operating budget.”

Each year, a portion of the park’s net revenues is allocated for the limited off-season operating expenses of the park’s staff. The remaining net revenue is directed to a maintenance fund for larger park repairs or improvements.

“If the cost of any necessary repairs exceeds the amount accumulated in the maintenance fund, the city and county are requested to contribute to cover the difference equally,” Buchfink said.