Friends of Shipe Park

As of 2pm on June 8, the current status of Big Shipe Pool is:

OPEN!  CANNON BALLLLLLL!

Full Posted Schedule for both Shipe Pools here.

The 2015 schedule for both Shipe Pools has been posted to the city’s website and is also reflected  here. Mark your calendar for the opening of Big Shipe Pool on Monday June 8th and Shipe Wading Pool on Tuesday June 16th!

We are grateful to the city for keeping Shipe Pools open this summer in spite of their known and significant maintenance needs. It is understood that there is always a possibility that the pools will not be open on schedule because of these needs and if there is a lifeguard staffing shortage (as there was last summer). Any change to the planned schedule will be posted on-site at the pools.

Keep your eyes out for information about the design process for the new pools that will be built to replace the aging ones at Shipe! The Parks and Rec leadership are estimating that they will begin the community engagement process about the pool design this winter. No indication yet about the timeline for for construction or for the opening of a Shipe new pool. In the meantime, enjoy the summer pool season this year with your neighbors at Shipe Park!

Wonderful news today from Kimberly McNeeley, Assistant Director, Austin Parks and Recreation Department:

“The mechanical issues at Shipe have been corrected.  While the leak has not been 100% fixed, the situation is manageable.  Therefore, the Aquatics Section intends to open Shipe Pool and Shipe Wading pool tomorrow, Wednesday, June 18^th. 

 Please know we will need to keep a close eye on the water level situation, but believe the repairs made to date will allow for a successful season. 

 On behalf of the Department, thank you and the entire neighborhood for your patience.”

See you at the pool!

Adam Wilson, Friends of Shipe Park

The below is from Kimberly McNeeley, Assistant Director for Austin Parks and Recreation Department. I’m posting this information at her request so you have a better sense of what is happening with Shipe Pool…

It is my understanding the information provided by the Department and the information provided by 311 is inconsistent.  I will work this morning to correct this situation.

Please know the following:

• Shipe pool remains closed due to a chemical feeder pump repair and recently discovered pool leak
• Shipe pool was open for a short period of time and experienced intermittent closures due to chemical imbalances
• Through the period of intermittent closures, maintenance staff attempted to make short term repairs in an effort to keep the pool open.
• It was discovered that the short-term repairs were short lived and the only option for eliminating frequent intermittent closures was to rebuild the pump
• As of today, the pump is being rebuilt and the team has requested expedited service in the hopes of having the pump back today for installation
• Due to the age of the mechanical system, in an effort to be proactive, the maintenance team will also install a second rebuilt pump to help maintain the appropriate chemical balance and avoid intermittent closures
• During the pump rebuilding process, the maintenance team has also discovered a pool leak- causing the pool to lose up to 1 inch of water an hour- this is significant
• The maintenance team further analyzed the situation by “diving” the pool and determined the leak is not associated with the shell of the pool but likely occurring within the pipe system buried below the deck
• A permanent fix to this leak is estimated to require significant closure
• The maintenance team is brainstorming options to allow the pool to remain open for the summer season while being sensitive to the environment and conservation issues associated with a leak

We will forward any further updates we get from the department as they come to us.
All the Best,
Adam Wilson
Friends of Shipe Park