Site work for a recreation facility in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Completed plans call for site work for a recreation facility.

https://talkbusiness.net/2026/03/fort-smith-board-approves-water-slide-work-waterpark-management/ It was yet another 4-3 vote Tuesday (March 17) by the Fort Smith Board of Directors to yet again continue with installation of five waterslides at Parrot Island Waterpark. Directors André Good, Lee Kemp, Jarred Rego, and Kevin Settle voted to approve two contracts totaling more than $2.415 million to install the slides, water pumps, and ancillary piping. Directors Christina Catsavis, George Catsavis, and Neal Martin voted against approving the contracts. According to a city memo from Acting City Administrator Jeff Dingman, city staff recommended SSI Inc. of Fort Smith be awarded a $1.751 million contract for the construction of the five slides, and Little Rock-based Clarity Pools be awarded a $664,200 contract for water pumps and piping portion of the slide project. The Fort Smith board initially voted to spend $2.1 million on the slides and installation, with Sebastian County expected to also spend $2.1 million. The Sebastian County Quorum Court voted against buying the slides. The Fort Smith board voted in September 2024 to pick up the other $2.1 million and continue with the purchase and installation of the slides. It was learned in October 2025 that the cost to install the five slides would push beyond the $4.2 million approved for the project. In a deal partially arranged by Kemp, Royal Ridge was given a contract without going through a competitive bidding process. That deal was retracted when Fort Smith attorney Joey McCutchen filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of awarding Royal Ridge a contract without a bidding process. Discussion prior to Tuesday’s vote was again pointed, with several residents encouraging the board to vote against the funding and alleging a lack of transparency in the process. Director George Catsavis said the cost and process changes is “the biggest cluster I’ve ever seen.” Kemp pushed back, saying all discussions have been public, noting that he made public at a board meeting his effort to work with Royal Ridge. In another action, the board voted 5-2 – with Directors Christina Catsavis and George Catsavis voting no – to extend the waterpark management contract with Grand Prairie, Texas-based American Resort Management (ARM). The city and Sebastian County officials reviewed management proposals for the 2026 season. Dingman has said he and Sebastian County Judge Steve Hotz signed a temporary management agreement with ARM to ensure the facility would be managed through March 31. Dingman and Hotz are asking their respective legislative bodies to approve resolutions to keep ARM as the park management company through the 2026 season, with new management proposals reviewed prior to the 2027 season. The water park opened in 2015 at Ben Geren Regional Park, which is owned by Sebastian County. Its initial construction cost was shared jointly by the county and the city. ARM has managed the park since its opening. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The City of Fort Smith is seeking proposals from qualified general contractors with demonstrated experience in aquatic plumbing systems. The purpose and intent of this Request for Proposal is to solicit proposals from qualified firms to provide and install all aquatic plumbing to include suction and return piping, valves, fittings, install all aquatic equipment as specified in construction documents for complete operation of the aquatic systems at the Parrot Island Waterpark in accordance with the performance standards outlined in the Request for Proposals document package. The City of Fort Smith, Arkansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer