Tuesday’s public comment period at the Amarillo City Council meeting was a busy one, as a number of residents stepped up to the podium to make comments and demand answers related to the closing of the pool at Thompson Park.
Last week, the City of Amarillo announced it would be closing the Thompson Park pool, which was originally opened in the 1930s. The closing of the pool was justified by City officials, who said the pool’s structural issues and leaks prevented proper operations. However, many residents have expressed concerns that closing the pool would take away a valuable community resource from those living in North Amarillo.
Jerri Glover, a local realtor, expressed her concerns about the pool’s closing, saying she is “frustrated” with the City Council and the City of Amarillo’s decision to close the oldest public pool in Amarillo history.
“The continual motions of this City to ignore the needs of all of its people are angering,” Glover said. “…I don’t live on the north side or use the Thompson Park pool, but there is an entire population of this city that does. And if there ever was a rainy day in Amarillo, despite the color of our skies, then that day is today.”
Lila Mitchell also expressed her concerns during the meeting, asking Councilmembers to consider the children in North Amarillo when making the decision to close the pool.
“I’m tired of rolling over,” Mitchell said. “It’s time you do something for us.”
Michael Fisher, a local haunted house proprietor and software engineer, also spoke at the City Council meeting on the pool closing, saying he feels the community in North Amarillo is being ignored by the City.
“I will give this Council credit for giving, but the problem is they only give to the fortunate,” Fisher said.
City manager Jared Miller and Councilmembers made no comments on the pool’s closing during the public comment meeting. As of right now, there have been no public plans released to reopen the pool.
