Patrons float through the “Crazy River” at Lake Winnepesaukah’s newest attraction, SoakYa Water Park.
Guests at Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park enjoy the Cannon Ball ride in Rossville. Lake Winnepesaukah has become the first tourism destination in Georgia approved for a new tax incentive under the Georgia Tourism Development Act.Lake Winnepesaukah is finally going to see its state-level tax break for its 2013 addition of the SoakYa Water Park.
State Sen. Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga, on Monday announced that the family-owned amusement park, located in Rossville, is the first tourist attraction to qualify for tax incentives under the revised Georgia Tourism Development Act.
“We’re very appreciative of Sen. Mullis’ work with the Joint Development Authority and his encouragement to apply for this tax incentive,” said Tennyson Dickinson of Lake Winnie.
The original version of the law, passed in 2011, was rejected by state agencies for various technical problems — such as local governments receiving less sales tax revenue for their schools because that money would go to the attractions — that would have made it nearly impossible to implement.
The revised law was changed to ensure that local governments get their full share of the taxes. It was signed by Gov. Nathan Deal in spring 2013.