Splash Amarillo Waterpark
LocationAmarillo, Texas, United States
OpenedMay 2000
Closed2016
Previous namesFireWater Waterpark
Operating seasonMay through August
Pools2 pools
Water slides6 water slides
WebsiteOfficial website

Splash Amarillo Waterpark was a family-friendly waterpark located in Amarillo, Texas. It was originally built as FireWater Waterpark in May 2000.[1] It sat on a 13-acre (53,000 m2) site just half a mile down Interstate 40 from the Big Texan Steak Ranch.[2] Attractions consisted of a 14,000-square-foot (1,300 m2) wave pool, 845-foot (258 m) long lazy river, a tower housing six separate slides, kids pool, and kids play tower.[3][4][5] It also features a gift shop, concession stand, volleyball courts, and an arcade.[3][6] It closed in 2016, and all the slides will be relocated to a new park in Plainview called Royal Splash Texas, which will open in 2017.[7]

History

Construction

Groundbreaking for the formerly named FireWater Waterpark began on May 7, 1999.[3] It was constructed at a cost of $3.7 million on a 21-acre (85,000 m2) site, but it itself would only cover 13 acres (53,000 m2) of the complex.[8] Missouri Valley Inc. of Amarillo was the general contractor of the project. The construction was completed well before the set opening date of May 6, 2000.[1]

Bankruptcy

FireWater Waterpark came under scrutiny in 2002 after it failed to repay loans taken during the original construction of the park. While park president Gary Abramson claimed to be in the process of securing long-term financial backing for it, Satana Corporation sued it for $2.16 million.[5] The suit claimed it signed a promissory note and that investors even ignored written payment demands sent directly to them. Eventually, it was forced into bankruptcy after Missouri Valley Inc. filed a bankruptcy petition. It was reopened in May 2003 under completely new management and ownership and renamed Splash Amarillo.[8]

Fire

In July 2009, the park experienced a fire inside a building which houses lockers, dressing rooms, restrooms, a concession stand, and maintenance room.[9] Over 200 park patrons were forced to evacuate after witnesses reported a water heater had caught on fire. The fire caused over $70,000 in damage after spreading from the first floor to the attic.[10] Park president Paul Johnson claimed that the building was not insured.[9] As of June 2011, it has been refurbished and is functioning again.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Straach, Kathryn (June 4, 2000). "Amarillo brags about its own 'DFW' attractions". The Dallas Morning News. Dallas, TX. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  2. ↑ Wilson, Janet (May 19, 2002). "A weekend in Amarillo just isn't enough time". Austin American Statesman. Austin, TX. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 Williams, Richard (May 7, 1999). "Groundbreaking of FireWater park celebrated". Amarillo Globe-News. Amarillo, TX. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  4. ↑ Rodriguez, Helena (May 27, 2004). "Three area water parks can provide". Clovis News Journal. Clovis, NM. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  5. 1 2 McBride, Jim (June 28, 2002). "FireWater sued for $2.16 million". Amarillo Globe-News. Amarillo, TX. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Fire Closes Texas Water Park". Waco, TX: KWTX-TV. July 29, 2009. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  7. ↑ "Splash Kingdom falls into new hands".
  8. 1 2 Berzanskis, Cheryl (April 15, 2003). "Water park to open under new management". Amarillo Globe-News. Amarillo, TX. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  9. 1 2 Stecklein, Janelle (July 28, 2009). "Fire erupts at waterpark; hundreds evacuated". Amarillo Globe-News. Amarillo, TX. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Splash Amarillo Fire Ruled Accidental". Amarillo, TX: KFDA-TV News Channel 10. July 29, 2009. Retrieved August 1, 2011.

35°11′38″N 101°46′12″W / 35.194°N 101.770°W / 35.194; -101.770

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