Problems, Expenses, Delays for Bartholomew Pool
Credit City of AustinBy Ann Choi
City of Austin’s Aquatic Division manages over 50 public pool facilities. The Bartholomew Pool, in particular, has demanded significant time and funding from the city since 2009.
Now, the city says the pool will need even more time and money before it’s ready to reopen.
The Bartholomew Pool was closed in 2009 when large leaks posed safety threats. But the demolition of the pool didn’t start till last September. Since then, asbestos pipes, a form of mineral fiber that occurs in rock and soil, and seeping groundwater were found and have delaying the reopening.
The project will require another $1 million in addition to its original $4.6 million budget. The city says the pool won’t open till May 2014—nearly a year after the previous projected opening date.
The funding for the renovation of the Bartholomew Pool came from a bond package program approved in 2006. The same bond package has funded the remodeling of Deep Eddy Pool and West Enfield pool.
The Austin Parks and Recreation Department Aquatic Division will hold a public meeting tonight with updates on the Bartholomew Pool Project at 6:30 p.m. at theUniversity Hills Library.
The projected plan for the new Bartholomew Pool includes shape structures, activity and lap pool.
Credit City of Austin
