$8.5M Renovation Complete, But Safety Issue Forces New Closure

(Athens, Texas) The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, Texas, suddenly closed its doors to the public.

Sudden Closure Catches Visitors by Surprise

In a Facebook posting Thursday evening, the center said it would be closed to the public indefinitely beginning Friday, August 8, due to unforeseen circumstances and safety concerns.

Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD), which operates the facility, did not give a reason for the sudden closure or an explanation of the safety issue referenced in the closure at the time of releasing the statement. However, they are looking forward to welcoming guests and visitors back.

Structural Damage Found in Visitor Center

Texas Parks and Wildlife released a statement Friday stating the closure was due to a support column being compromised in the visitor center. The steel column in question supports the main visitor center.

READ MORE --> Explore The Newly Renovated Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center

Not Related to Recent $8.5M Renovation

This issue is unrelated to the recent renovation of some of the exhibits. This issue was separate from that project and was discovered when the roof on the facility was recently replaced due to leaks and moisture intrusion into the visitor center. TPWD says in a press release,

The moisture was found to have contributed to significant and critical corrosion of a steel structural support column, which was concealed behind an educational display. The condition of the steel column threatened the structural integrity of the visitor center building and represented a public safety hazard.

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When Will the Center Reopen?

Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center director Tom Lang says, "We are working diligently to remedy the situation as quickly as possible. We look forward to once again welcoming visitors from across the country in a safe and family-friendly environment.”

The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center had reopened July 1st after being closed for two years as it underwent an $8.5 million renovation project.