Augusta Approves $5M for South Augusta Water Park, But Location and Timeline Remain Unclear

City seeks private partner to help fund and operate the long-promised facility, as residents push for transparency and a quality destination that serves the entire community.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Augusta commissioners have approved $5 million in taxpayer funding to help build a new water park in South Augusta, but the city has not yet determined the location or timeline for the project. Instead, Augusta is seeking a private company to contribute additional funding and operate the facility. Residents in the area have been pushing for the water park for months, emphasizing the need for a quality destination that serves the entire community.

Why it matters

The water park has been a long-promised project for the South Augusta community, which residents say is in need of new development and investment. The city's decision to seek a private partner raises questions about the ultimate ownership and accessibility of the facility, as well as the timeline for when it might actually be built.

The details

Augusta set aside $5 million in SPLOST funds approved by voters in 2021 to help build the new water park. However, the city will not be building and operating the facility itself. Instead, Augusta is seeking proposals from private companies to contribute additional funding and take on the responsibility of running the water park. Destination Augusta, the city's tourism agency, is currently reviewing proposals and plans to meet with potential partners. Despite the funding approval, the location and timeline for the water park remain unclear.

  • Voters approved the $5 million in SPLOST funding for the water park in 2021.
  • Destination Augusta plans to meet with potential private partners on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

Augusta Commissioners

The elected officials who approved the $5 million in funding for the South Augusta water park project.

YMCA of Greater Augusta

The local YMCA chapter that will be launching its 2026 Annual Fundraising Campaign next week, though it's unclear if the water park project is connected to those fundraising efforts.

Frank Howard

A South Augusta resident who has been pushing commissioners for months about the water park project.

Melvin Ivey

Another South Augusta resident who wants more transparency about the status of the water park plans.

Destination Augusta

The city's tourism agency that is collecting proposals from private companies to partner on the water park project.

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What they’re saying

“South Augusta is hungry, we are hungry for some change, for some improvement, for something coming to South Augusta.”

— Frank Howard, South Augusta Resident (WRDW)

“We have voted on it twice and no one has said anything. No one has presented any plans or anything. I want to know what's going on.”

— Melvin Ivey, South Augusta Resident (WRDW)

“If you gonna bring water park over here, bring a water park that's going to be satisfactory to everybody in South Augusta. Not only South Augusta, but the whole Richmond County.”

— Frank Howard, South Augusta Resident (WRDW)

What’s next

Destination Augusta plans to meet with potential private partners on Tuesday, February 11, 2026 to discuss their proposals for funding and operating the new water park.

The takeaway

The approval of $5 million in funding for a new water park in South Augusta represents a step forward for the long-promised project, but the lack of a confirmed location and timeline, as well as the city's decision to seek a private partner, raises questions about the ultimate accessibility and quality of the facility for the surrounding community.