AUGUSTA, Ga. – Residents of Augusta have expressed interest in a new water park, and developers are showing enthusiasm for the idea, according to Destination Augusta.

“We sent out requests for information in November, and by December 19th, we received five responses,” explained Bennis Brown, the President of Destination Augusta.

Half a decade ago, voters in Augusta approved an allocation of $5 million as initial funding to attract an external developer for a water park in the Diamond Lakes vicinity. Now, commissioners are advancing the initiative by agreeing to conduct a feasibility study for the project.

“If there’s a private partner willing to invest, that’s fantastic. However, I believe we still need the study,” remarked Commissioner Tina Slendak.

On the other hand, some commissioners argue that if a private company is interested in using the seed money for building the water park, it should also be responsible for conducting the feasibility study.

“As far as the study goes, let that be to up to whoever is doing this water park, to do the study,” said Commissioner Catherine Smith Rice.

Destination Augusta is calling the study an important step for this project to go from the drawing board to the diving board.
 
“Where should it be? We think we know where the general public would like to see it, but we need an expert to drill down into some of those things and I think it’s a real smart step from the administrator,” said Brown.

The city will cover the cost of the feasibility study, drawing down some of the $5 million dollars voters approved for the project.