Renovation Delays Extends Closure of Abilene State Park’s Historic CCC-Era Pool

Renovation Delays Extends Closure of Abilene State Park's Historic CCC-Era Pool

May 21, 2026

Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030

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ABILENE - Due to renovation delays, Abilene State Park's historic Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)-era pool will remain closed until further notice. The pool, which was originally built in the 1930s by the CCC and previously refurbished in the 1980s, has been closed for extensive renovations and repairs since 2022.

"We hear and understand the public's frustration that our beloved pool is still not open," said Craig Simpson, Abilene State Park superintendent. "We share that same frustration and are working diligently to help get the historic pool back to working use. This pool is important to us and our community, and we're doing what we can to return this treasured resource back to the public."

To date, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has completed structural repairs to the pool and pump room with the help of third parties, consisting of removal of concrete coping, gutter and tile, replacement and repair of those items, and painting the entire pool. The children's pool is also undergoing similar repairs. The next phase, which is underway now, addresses the repair and replacement of pump equipment and filtration systems.

When the project was first initiated in 2022, the department received no bids.

Exploring alternative options and after completing a thorough search, TPWD secured a contract in 2024 with a qualified vendor for the project, allowing work to begin in April 2025. As that project approached completion, additional issues were detected with pool equipment. A contractor has been procured and has begun work to replace much of the pool's aged and outdated equipment.

"We have worked with this contractor previously and are confident in their commitment to completing this construction project as expeditiously as possible," said Andrea Lofye, Director of TPWD's Infrastructure Division. "This contractor has completed many construction projects for TPWD throughout the state at several of our state parks and facilities. They are working closely with our staff to have the Abilene pool up and running."

By the end of the renovation and restoration process, the pool equipment will have been almost completely replaced.

"Updating a pool takes time and effort, but updating a historic one that hasn't been renovated in 40 years takes even more attention to detail and care," added Simpson. "We know the timeline is disappointing. We have staff that grew up swimming in this pool and want future generations to get to enjoy it like they did."

While the pool remains closed, visitors can enjoy other activities at the park such as hiking, biking, birding, geocaching and more.

Updates on the project can be found on the park's social accounts.

Find more information about Abilene State Park on the TPWD website.