In 2014, the city of Austin identified a list of public pools that needed to be upgraded in order to avoid functionally failing within five years. One of those pools the city deemed to be in a “critical” status was Shipe Pool in Hyde Park, located at 4400 Avenue G.
The city awarded $3.1 million to refurbish the pool in 2014. After a series of public meetings and open houses, the project went out to bid, and once a contractor was selected, work began in fall 2018.
Initially, the city expected work on Shipe Pool to finish by early summer 2019. However, that timeline has been pushed back to mid-August, according to a June 28 memo.
“There have been several delays associated with completion of the project primarily associated with the late delivery of building materials such as the glazed tile and specialty metal screening,” the memo read.
Work that still needs to be completed includes completion of the limestone facade on the bathhouse structures, installation of shade structures, and completion of the mechanical room and operation components of the pool.
Once the work is substantially completed, the city’s aquatic division will train lifeguards and complete other safety procedures that will allow for the required inspection before the pool can open.