WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — West Memphis City Council member Marco McClendon presented plans for a $13 million water park to the city on Thursday.

His preferred location would be behind the Arkansas welcome center on Interstate 40/55.

“We’ve been needing something that’s quality for our children, and if we can place this on the interstate in that area I think we can attract more people. It creates revenue, creates jobs, economic development and will do a lot for our community,” McClendon said.

The proposed West Memphis Aquatic Center and Water Park would include water slides, a lazy river, wave rider, splash pool, one pool for seniors and another that could partly be used for competitive swimming for local schools.

The center would be paid for by a half-cent sales tax increase that would expire after six years.

City Council would have to place the sales tax increase on November’s ballot for approval by voters.

One West Memphis resident says she would vote for it.

“You have to reinvest into our city,” she said. “I’d do it for the children. Yes, it’s worth it. I’d do it for the children.”

McClendon is eager to fund the project with a sales tax and take advantage of all the people who in West Memphis while traveling on I-40.

“We have an average 60,000 vehicles that come through our city every day. When you come to spend money here in West Memphis, you’re paying for the water park.”

The aquatic center would take 15 months to build if approved.

The last water park in the Memphis area, Adventure River, closed in 1998, though the Kroc Center has a water slide, lazy river and several pools.