AMP declines water-park subsidy for 2026 and pauses proposed $7M bond
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Summary
After a presentation by the park operator and a budget review, the AMP Commission voted not to provide A&P funding to the Big Dan/Big **** Water Park for 2026 and agreed not to proceed with the proposed 15-year bond financing at this time.
Johnny Blevins, who described himself as the park manager/operator brought in after foreclosure, presented attendance and sales data for the water park and outlined three options for the board: continue the prior long-term arrangement, adopt a two-year supportive approach, or fund a single-year subsidy while the bank retained ownership. Blevins said season-pass sales rose from about 5,411 in 2024 to nearly 10,000 in 2025 and that total annual visitors were roughly 58,000–60,000.
Commissioners pressed on the economics: average gate prices, how many visitors are season-pass holders versus single-ticket buyers, and whether a modest ticket-price increase (the presenter noted a $24 general admission) could cover a proposed $250,000 subsidy. The presenter said the Bank of Hughes Springs owns the park and that the bank and operator prefer a longer commitment to make capital and operational investments viable.
An initial motion proposing no subsidy failed for lack of a second and died on the floor. After further discussion about fairness to other grant applicants and the commission’s previously stated intent not to distribute funds this cycle, the commission held a roll-call vote and adopted a motion to provide no A&P subsidy to the water park for 2026; commissioners confirmed the outcome as "no funding" for 2026.
Separately, staff and Tyler briefed the commission on a proposed $7 million sports-complex turf bond that would cost an estimated $700,000 annually over 15 years. Commissioners expressed concern about committing a large portion of A&P revenue for 15 years and, after discussion, did not vote to move forward with the bond at this meeting.
No emergency funding was authorized for the park at the meeting; commissioners left open the option for the operator to apply again during the regular A&P cycle and for staff to negotiate contingency terms if the bank makes an immediate operational change.
