AUSTIN, Texas — Due to needed repairs and water leaks that have been an issue for years, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department is recommending that the City of Austin close Givens Pool in East Austin through the summer of 2023, a Feb. 27 memo stated.
The City found that Givens Pool had been leaking 50,000 gallons of water per day in the summer of 2016, KVUE reported in 2017. That problem has only gotten worse, according to the memo from the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, despite repairs that were made to the pool over the years.
The department said that in November 2019, leak test results showed that Givens Pool continues to lose about 120,000 gallons of water per day. Between fiscal year 2018 and fiscal year 2019, the pool experienced a 186%-increase in water usage, data from Austin Water showed.
"Allowing this substantial water leak to continue is fiscally irresponsible, creates considerable water conservation concerns and has undesirable environmental impacts to the watershed," the memo stated.
Repairing the pool would not guarantee the pool a significant life expectancy, so Parks and Rec said a new facility should instead be built "in consideration of water loss, previous attempts to make substantial repairs, regular preventative maintenance and concerns regarding the structural integrity of the pool."
The City's 2018 general obligation bond will fund the $6 million complete replacement of the pool, the memo said. That project is slated to happen in the summer of 2022 through 2023.
In the meantime, the department said it intends to "conduct community engagement activities with stakeholders to determine the desired alternative temporary programming," according to the memo.
The Summer Playgrounds Program for kids ages 6 through 12 will be expanded and operated at Givens District Park from June 8 to July 31. The memo said community residents will also receive bus passes at no charge, which can be picked up at the Givens Recreation Center. Residents may visit other pools in the area including Rosewood Pool, Patterson Pool and Dottie Jordan Pool.
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