Amarillo Civic Center Installs $167,000 Court for Basketball Season

The Amarillo Civic Center has completed installation of a new basketball court valued at $167,000 nearly six decades after the building first opened.

City officials timed the replacement to protect current operations and avoid losing events that previously could not be hosted due to the prior floor's condition. The change arrives ahead of the fall and winter sports calendar, when local and visiting teams typically seek indoor venues for practices and competitions.

Why the upgrade matters for Amarillo schedules

The facility has long served as a stop for traveling teams, including the Harlem Globetrotters. With the older surface no longer suitable for regular use, organizers had already declined multiple requests for games. The new court restores that capacity at a moment when high school tournaments and collegiate exhibitions begin planning their routes through the Texas Panhandle.

Research into daily operations first flagged the floor as a priority because continued reliance on the old surface risked shrinking the venue's sports calendar rather than expanding it. Hotel occupancy tax revenue, drawn from out-of-town visitors, covered the full project cost without drawing on local property taxes.

Booking outlook and next steps for teams

Interest has already surfaced in the form of new inquiries since the floor was completed. Leaders expect the total number of basketball events to double compared with recent years once the season begins. The venue can now respond to questions that have persisted for years about hosting more collegiate and high school contests.

Teams or organizers seeking dates should contact the civic center directly to confirm availability and floor specifications. Early outreach increases the chance of securing prime slots before the fall schedule fills. The investment positions the Amarillo Civic Center to retain its existing events while adding new ones that previously could not be accommodated.