Splash Amarillo Waterpark

Splash Amarillo Waterpark
Location Amarillo, Texas, United States
Opened May 2000
Closed 2016
Previous names FireWater Waterpark
Operating season May through August
Pools 2 pools
Water slides 6 water slides
Website Official Website

Splash Amarillo Waterpark was a family-friendly waterpark located in Amarillo, Texas. The park was originally built as FireWater Waterpark in May 2000.[1] The waterpark sat on a 13-acre (53,000 m2) site just half a mile down Interstate 40 from the Big Texan Steak Ranch.[2] Attractions at the waterpark 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] Also, the waterpark features a gift shop, concession stand, volleyball courts, and an arcade.[3][6] The water park closed in 2016, and all slides will be relocated to a new water park in Plainview, Texas 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] The waterpark was constructed at a cost of $3.7 million on a 21-acre (85,000 m2) site, but the waterpark 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 of the park 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 the waterpark, Satana Corporation sued the park for $2.16 million.[5] The suit claimed the waterpark signed a promissory note and that investors even ignored written payment demands sent directly to them. Eventually, the waterpark was forced into bankruptcy after Missouri Valley Inc. filed a bankruptcy petition. The waterpark was re-opened in May 2003 under completely new management and ownership, renamed Splash Amarillo.[8]

Fire

In July 2009, Splash Amarillo 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 from the park 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, the building has been refurbished and is functioning again.

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. ↑ http://www.amarillo.com/news/local-news/2016-06-07/splash-kingdom-falls-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.

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

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