Givens Aquatic Facility Renovation

Givens District Park is located east of Downtown Austin. After more than 50 years serving the community, the pool ended its tenure in 2019 and is due to be replaced. The project for the new aquatic facility is underway. Initial concepts were completed in August 2021. This project is in the construction phase. City Council District 1

Updates

Check below for project progress updates.

Rendering of future Givens Pool that is currently being built

Background

Givens District Park is located east of Downtown Austin. This historically African American community was established in the beginning of the twentieth century. The 40-acre district park was acquired in 1957 and named after Dr. Everett H. Givens in 1962. The pool was developed in 1958.

Givens District Park is a highly valued open space in East Austin. The Givens Recreation Center serves the greater community with youth and adult programming. The park contains a playground, two ball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, a pavilion and numerous open lawn areas for passive recreation and numerous small trails through tree and vegetated areas. The park site is characterized by the Tannehill Branch Creek, which bisects the park site. The surrounding community gains access to the park site and existing pool through E. 12th Street from the north, Oak Springs Drive from the south and Springdale Road from the east.

Project Description

Givens Pool is classified as a Community Pool based on the 2018 Council approved Aquatic Master Plan. This scope of work includes the demolition of the existing pools and bathhouses. The Aquatic Master Plan classification of a Community Pool provides for the following aquatic characteristics and amenities: lap lane pool, zero-entry activity pool (tot pool), water slide, spray ground feature, diving board with well, gender-neutral bathhouse, family restrooms, training/party room, deck space, and aquatic office space. The project will also participate in the City of Austin Arts in Public Places (AIPP) program, which will commission a permanent art installation at the pool facility. As documented in the aquatic master plan, a robust community engagement process was conducted to gather feedback on the amenities and to assist in identifying the character of the Givens aquatic facility. The community engagement process helped inform the design team of stakeholder input related to the development and design features of the new pool.

Givens Pool Concept

Click image to see larger version.

Anticipated Schedule

Please note that as in any construction project, schedules are projected as accurately as possible. All dates are subject to change due to the nature of construction and the weather.

January to August 2021: Community Engagement for Pool Concept (Completed)
August 2021 to early 2023: Design, Development, Permitting (Completed)
Summer 2023: Construction start
December 2024: Construction end
Swim Season 2025: Pool Opens!

Community Engagement for Pool Concept Development

Community Meeting #1
January 26, 2021, 5:30 p.m.

Community Meeting #1 Presentation (PDF, 9 MB) Meeting Recording (Facebook) Meeting Chat (PDF) Polling Results from Meeting (PDF)

Community Survey #4: Features

Givens Features Survey: Closed October 10, 2022.

Givens Features Survey Results (PDF)

Givens Swims Community Feedback
In July 2019, Givens Swims by Forklift Danceworks highlighted the history of Givens Pool and the community members who have enjoyed the pool since it opened. Below are two documents with input on the pool and the performances.

"What do you love about Givens Pool?" Responses (PDF), asked before each performance Givens Swims survey evaluation (PDF), compiled by Civic Arts, August 2019 Open July 1 through August 4, 2021 Survey Report (PDF)

Community Survey #3: Reactions to New Pool Concept

Community Meeting #3
July 1, 2021, 5:30 p.m.

Meeting Recording (YouTube) Meeting Chat (PDF) Presentation (PDF) Results from Meeting Polling (PDF)

Givens Pool Community Survey #2: Review the Concepts

Open April 26 through May 16, 2021 Survey Report (PDF)

Community Survey #1 (closed February 22, 2021): view results (PDF)

Givens Pool Community Meeting #2 (virtual)
Monday, April 26, 2021, 5:30 p.m.

Community Meeting #2 Presentation (PDF, 6 MB) Meeting Recording (YouTube) Meeting Chat (PDF) Poll Everywhere Results and Comments (PDF)

Funding and Resources