AUSTIN (KXAN) — Barton Springs Pool will officially reopen Thursday after it was closed for weeks due to repairs that caused a “safety hazard” in the pool, the city of Austin Park and Recreation Department (PARD) said in a news release Tuesday.
The repairs started over Labor Day weekend after two holes were found in a 1940s pipe, the city said. Water was pulled into an abandoned pipe below the pool’s dam and created a safety hazard for swimmers.
The regular weekly cleaning for the pool will happen on Wednesday rather than Thursday, which is usually its closure day, the city said.
With Barton Springs Pool reopening, Deep Eddy Pool will now resume its normal operating hours and will open at 8 a.m. Thursday instead of 6 a.m., according to PARD. Deep Eddy Pool was previously opening earlier to accommodate swimmers while Barton Springs was closed.
“The holes in the Barton Springs Pool skimmer pipe have been filled with gravel, and a segment of the pipe downstream of the dam, in the area known as “Barking Springs,” was filled with concrete,” the city said in the release.
Furthermore, the city said the pool repair plan included a way to protect endangered salamanders. As a way to do that, salamander biologists were on site during construction and monitored water levels for any changes to the pool, according to PARD.
“We are thrilled to welcome the community back to Barton Springs Pool in time for the weekend. City leadership and partner departments have been instrumental working efficiently and cooperatively to resolve the issue and ensure that the pool is safe and ready for visitors,” said Interim PARD Director Angela Means in the release. “We appreciate the patience and understanding of pool goers throughout the repair process.”
Taylor Girtman contributed to this report