MACON, Ga. — There are still a few weeks left of summer break, and the Sandy Beach Water Park still hasn't opened its doors for families to cool off in the heat.
"Nice and refreshing. It wouldn't be a boring summer," says Rob and Grace Lindsay.
They moved to Macon about a year ago. On sweltering summer days, the father daughter duo look for ways to cool down.
"We were exploring around and I saw the sign saying about a water park, and I think I tried to find out some information on it, and I believe it's closed," says Rob.
If you search Sandy Beach Water Park online it says, "temporarily closed."
Driving towards the park, you pass several "We are closed" signs, meaning no time in the splash pool or taking a spin down the slides.
"We found stuff to do, but, yeah, that would be a nice option. We only live like 10 minutes away, so we would probably be there almost every day in the summertime," says Rob.
A company owned by businessman Jeff Franklin opened the park in 2015. Two years later, the bank that loaned him money for the project took it back.
Now, Art Barry is the broker for the park. The park went up for sale, but "for sale" signs are down now. However, the doors are still locked
"I've just known it to be closed. I didn't even know they ever opened up," says Brianna Knight.
It makes moms like Knight wonder, "When will it open?"
Macon-Bibb spokesman Chris Floore says "Representatives of Sandy Beach Water Park have been in contact with us on their plans this summer, and they've indicated to us this week they believe they have a solution that will allow them to open soon for the final weeks of summer and then some weekends."
Knight wants to see the locks come off the gates soon so her kids get the chance to experience it.
"There's nothing really to do here around the summer, and it's hot here, so you try to find water around anywhere you can get it," says Knight.
According to the ownership agreement with the county, the county collects one percent of the park's revenue, but only if it's open.