Amarillo City Council to review bond issuance, pool closures, and Wonderland lease

The Amarillo City Council will take up a full slate of issues during its regular meeting Tuesday, including a long-term lease agreement for Wonderland Amusement Park, the possible closure of two public pools, and the issuance of water and sewer revenue bonds. The meeting will be held in the Council Chamber at City Hall, beginning with an Executive Session at noon. Public comment sign-up is available online, by calling the City Secretary’s office at 806-378-3014, or in person at least 15 minutes before the meeting formally begins. The regular session is expected to start around 3 p.m.

According to the posted agenda, councilmembers will hear a series of presentations and updates on key city initiatives. Those include funding considerations for the Amarillo Area Public Health District, the development plan for John Stiff Memorial Park, and progress on various Capital Improvement Projects across the city. Another major item is the upcoming issuance of water and sewer revenue bonds, which are part of Amarillo’s long-term infrastructure strategy.

One of the most closely watched topics will be a presentation summarizing staff findings regarding the Southeast and Southwest pools. The review follows a Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) board meeting on Nov. 12, during which city officials reported that an internal assessment had led the PARD board to recommend closing both pools and exploring alternatives for either an indoor or outdoor replacement facility. City leaders have emphasized that neither the council nor staff have made any final decisions, and Tuesday’s presentation is expected to outline the condition of the facilities as well as potential next steps.

Several consent agenda items also carry significant community interest. These include routine approvals such as city service awards, subscription renewals, equipment purchases, and contracts for ongoing projects. Of notable public attention is a proposed lease agreement for a portion of Thompson Park, the longtime home of Wonderland Amusement Park. The agreement outlines an initial 15-year lease term with two optional 15-year renewals, potentially allowing for future expansions. The discussions come amid the Borchardt family’s ongoing consideration of selling the park, which has operated in Amarillo since 1951 and remains one of the city’s most recognizable attractions.

In addition to the presentations and consent items, the council will consider several non-consent actions tied to Tuesday’s discussion topics. These include issuing Certificates of Obligation to support water and sewer system improvements as well as street and park upgrades. Infrastructure financing has been a recurring theme for Amarillo officials, who have consistently linked long-term investment to the city’s growth and maintenance needs.

The council will also weigh approval of a state transportation grant aimed at improving intersections, sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, and traffic signal systems. The grant would support ongoing efforts to enhance mobility and pedestrian safety throughout Amarillo.

With multiple major proposals on the table—from potential pool closures to long-term park operations and citywide infrastructure funding—Tuesday’s meeting is expected to draw substantial public interest. City officials continue to encourage residents to participate in the process, whether by attending in person or submitting public comments through available channels.