The future of two of Amarillo's longtime public swimming pools is still up in the air after the city's Parks and Recreation Board recommended moving forward with an engineering study to determine what should happen next.
The recommendation focuses on Southwest Pool at John Stiff Memorial Park and Southeast Pool, both of which have been closed for the 2026 summer season because of safety concerns. While the closures have frustrated many residents, city officials say they need a clearer picture of the pools' condition before deciding whether they can be repaired, renovated, or replaced.
The proposed aquatic feasibility study would examine the structural and operational condition of both pools, identify any major issues, estimate the cost of repairs, and evaluate long-term options for each facility. The goal is to give city leaders the information they need to decide whether investing in the aging pools makes sense or if other solutions would better serve the community.
Parks and Recreation Board Chairman Bob Altman said public interest has continued to grow since the pools closed. Residents have spent much of the summer asking why the facilities were shut down and what the city's plans are moving forward, prompting the board to support a detailed engineering review before any major investments are made.
Both pools are now more than 50 years old, and city officials say their age is a major factor in the conversation. They have maintained that neither facility can safely reopen without a thorough evaluation.
The engineering study is expected to cost about $150,000. While the Parks and Recreation Board voted to recommend the project, the Amarillo City Council must approve the funding before any work can begin. The proposal has not yet appeared on a City Council agenda.
The recommendation comes after the City Council asked the Parks and Recreation Board to seek proposals from engineering firms with experience evaluating aquatic facilities. City staff received one proposal, and after reviewing it, board members voted to recommend accepting the bid. The final decision now rests with the City Council.
If approved, engineers would conduct a detailed assessment of both pools and provide recommendations on the most practical and cost-effective path forward. Those recommendations could include repairs, major renovations, or replacing portions of the aging infrastructure.
Officials say timing is important. Although both pools are already closed for this summer, planning for future swim seasons has to begin well in advance. Engineering work, design, budgeting, and construction can take months, meaning decisions made later this year could determine whether either pool is ready to reopen in the future.
The closures have also reduced the number of public swimming options available during Amarillo's hottest months, raising concerns among residents who rely on the pools for affordable summer recreation. That has added urgency to the city's search for a long-term solution.
The engineering study is expected to answer some of the biggest questions facing city leaders, including how much life remains in each facility, what it would cost to keep them operating, and whether repairing infrastructure that's more than five decades old is a worthwhile investment.
For now, no decisions have been made about the future of either pool. The proposed study is simply the first step in determining what comes next.
