City of El Paso subsidizes operational costs of water parks

City of El Paso brings three new water parks, fourth water park expected to open June 30, 2021.
[Credit: KFOX14/CBS4]

KFOX14
by Ariana Parra
Wednesday, October 12th 2022

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14) — An audit report from the city of El Paso shows that water parks had an over $1 million deficit in 2021 and are projected to have an over $3 million deficit by the end of 2022.

While El Paso water parks are losing millions of dollars each year since opening in 2021, the city said that the parks were never created to make a profit.

City services such as libraries, museums, community, recreation and senior centers do not make money.

The city's water parks are no different.

The four El Paso water parks are operated by Destination El Paso and were funded by the Quality of Life Bond that was approved by voters in 2012.

They were never designed to make a profit, but instead to increase activity in El Paso communities.

So how are these water parks still operating?

The revenue that the parks do bring in go back into operating costs and the city pays for the remainder of costs, according to Ben Fyffe, the Managing Director of Cultural Affairs for the City of El Paso.

“These are operated as service to the community which we are very proud to be able to do. And we work with the officer management and budget to make sure we look at a variety of factors to make sure the city can pass its budget and accounts for the revenue that is coming in and also the part that will be subsidized to make sure that it’s affordable for our community,” Fyffe said.

Fyffe added that the water park facilities are still fairly new and have been operating throughout the pandemic.

"We anticipate that once we do get to more normal operations we will only see that revenue continue to increase."

Fyffe explained that the revenue that the parks have brought in is much higher than originally anticipated.

The waterparks are doing well and above what we had originally projected which was to double the amount of revenue that we were getting in percentage to overall expenses to our pools and we’re at almost triple the amount of revenue.

According to Fyffe, the city budgets to cover the costs for all quality of life facilities and services.

Our city works very very hard to make sure the budget is balanced each year with council. So I would say that I ask people to remember that and also to think about the fact that we now have these four incredible amenities that thousands of El Pasoans can take advantage of in our own backyards.

2021 El Paso Water Park Statistics

• Employees hired - 300
• Attendance - 98,158
• Season Passes Sold - 3,172
• 2021 Total Revenues Generated - $1,618,379
• 2021 Total Expenses Incurred - $2,953,799
• 2021 Total Deficit - $1,335,420

For the 2022 Summer Season, Destination El Paso projected $2,338,000 in revenues and $5,732,546 in expenses, according to the city's audit.