Columbia, SC (WLTX)- Several members from the Richland County Council are taking a trip to Texas Thursday to research the county's future water park.
Earlier this month council voted to build a $20 million dollar water park off Farrow Road near I-77.
Council heard a presentation from the owner of Hawaiian Falls who owns and operates several water parks around the country and is interested in operating the one in the Midlands.
Thursday, four council members and three staff members will travel to Austin and Dallas for three days to learn about the industry and get another presentation from the owner.
"In our economic development committee to as we further do our due diligence on this project to go out and visit with the developer who developed more than 22 water parks throughout the country and get perspective. We are going into new territory, so getting information from the experts in the industry," said Rush.
Your tax dollars are paying for their travel and hotel to and from Austin and Dallas Texas and will cost about $8,000.
Councilman Torrey Rush says they are spending tax dollars wisely and says the trip is needed.
"I think its a wise use because we are about to spend tax dollars so being able to perform the due diligence to make sure we are covering all of our basis and investigating this process as much as we can to make sure we are doing the right thing for the people I think that is worthwhile and I stand behind that."
Hawaiian Falls is covering the food and travel from Austin to Dallas.
County staff says that is not uncommon when council members are on economic development trips.
