County explores water park expansion
The Greenville News - Greenville, S.C.
Author: Angelia Davis
Date: Aug 18, 2005
Start Page: B.13
Section: Metro
Text Word Count: 755
Document Text
Park's big splash spurs talk of adding to wet fun
By Angelia Davis
STAFF_WRITER
adavis@greenvillenews.com
The county's water park has proven to be so popular that a consultant has been hired to help determine whether a second park should be built or if the current one should be expanded.
Dan Rodgerson, executive director of the Greenville County Recreation District, said a Texas-based consultant will give the district guidance as far as how big to expand Discovery Island and whether to duplicate it in other areas of the county.
"We're looking at some options of expansion of Discovery Island water park, but it is far from being a done deal," Rodgerson said. "It's been an overwhelming success and we're looking to make that a little bit larger."
Karen Belanger, a Travelers Rest mother of 13- and 14-year-old boys, said the district should build another Discovery Island in the northern part of the county to accommodate folks in the northwestern areas and beyond.
"It seems like on the Eastside of the county, they're getting more funds for the soccer fields, baseball fields, and now the water park," Balenger said. "Because the water park is county funded, it doesn't make any sense if you look on a map to expand it where it is now and have nothing in the northern part of the county when we all pay the same taxes."
Belanger said it takes northern Greenville County residents a good 45 minutes to get to the water park and they've heard about the long lines and wait time to get it.
"When you compound that with the drive, people are discouraged and don't even bother going," she said.
Rodgerson said he knows that people want to see a water park in either the northern or western region of the county. Thus, the district is soliciting the help of experts to help them make that decision.
Plans for the $2 million water park began in 2003. The park replaced the pool at Southside Park, which served about 5,000 residents the entire summer during its heyday.
Officials had estimated that 40,000 people would use the new water park its first summer, but by the end of July, 80,000 people had visited the park, Rodgerson said.
Park officials are expecting that number to approach 100,000 by the time it closes for the summer in September, he said.
"We got lucky on this one and it was an overwhelming success," Rodgerson.
The water park is funded through a revenue bond, meaning the money collected at the gates is used to pay the debt, Rodgerson said. Therefore, the water park needs to be looked at as a business venture as opposed to a government amenity, he said.
Belanger said a water park in northern Greenville County would attract people on the Westside, as well as communities such as Travelers Rest, Slater, Marietta, Cleveland and Blue Ridge.
"I really believe if they built one out this way, it would be just as full capacity-wise," she said.
Robert Hawthorne, who lives off Ashmore Bridge Road, said the current park needs to be expanded.
"To give more offering for the children would be wonderful," he said.
Sonji Mims Adams, who lives in the Canterbury community of southern Greenville County, said Discovery Island should be expanded to relieve the long lines that have plagued the park this summer.
"If they made it bigger, they could accommodate more people," Adams said.
The recreation district expects to receive a written recommendation from the consultant by the end of the month, but any major renovation or new construction will not be ready until summer 2007, Rodgerson said.
YOU CAN GO
+ Discovery Island will be open daily through Sunday and then on weekends only through Sept. 25.
Admissions:
Guests over 48 inches: $6
Under 48 inches: $5
Seniors, handicapped: $5
Under 24 months: free
For more information call 288-6470.
Mugs and quotes:
"If they made it bigger, they could accommodate more people."
- Sonji Adams, who lives in Canterbury, a community in southern Greenville County
"Because the water park is county funded, it doesn't make any sense, if you look on a map, to expand it where it is now and have nothing in the northern part of the county when we all pay the same taxes."
- Karen Belanger, Travelers Rest
Graphic: Staff map
Discovery Island
Cutline: OWEN RILEY JR. / Staff
Cool way to relax: Discovery Island water park has been a huge success this summer with park officials expecting 100,000 visitors, 60,000 more than anticipated.
Rodgerson Recreation Reports
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Rodgerson Lonely Planet profile
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Dan Rodgerson Resume
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