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Commission tasks Destination Augusta, staff to seek private operator for Diamond Lakes water park using $5 million SPLOST seed money
Summary
The commission approved a plan to ask Destination Augusta and county staff to seek a private operator or investor to develop a water-park project at Diamond Lakes using $5 million allocated in SPLOST 8.
The Augusta Commission on Aug. 19 directed Destination Augusta and the administrator's office to begin seeking private partners to develop and operate a water-park at Diamond Lakes, using $5 million earmarked in SPLOST 8 as seed money.
The motion, offered by Commissioner Brandon Garrett and seconded by Commissioner Francine Scott, asked Destination Augusta to work with county administrators to identify operators or investors that would contribute additional private funding and operate the park should negotiations bear fruit.
"This is something that we have been tossing back and forth," Garrett said, noting earlier SPLOST projects such as the planned zip line on the river. Commissioner Francine Scott urged following through on the SPLOST voter mandate and the city's past commitments.
Benish Brown of Destination Augusta said his office will coordinate with the administrator on outreach and operator selection. "I hear loud and clear that this shouldn't be hanging out very long," Brown said. He asked for time to meet with the administrator before returning a firm schedule.
Commissioners debated whether to set a time limit on recruitment; several suggested a 12-month target, but Garrett preferred no hard deadline. The commission approved the motion on a 10-1 vote; Commissioner Tony Lewis recorded the lone no vote on the final tally.
The action does not commit construction funds beyond the existing SPLOST allocation; it asks staff and the convention and visitors bureau to pursue private partners and return with more detailed proposals.
Votes: Motion to engage Destination Augusta and administration to find private operator/investor for a water park using $5,000,000 in SPLOST 8 seed money (mover: Brandon Garrett; second: Francine Scott) — outcome: approved; tally: yes 10, no 1.
Commissioners asked Destination Augusta and administration to return with a recruitment timeline, potential private partners and a proposed term sheet for how the SPLOST seed funding would be used if an operator were chosen.
