DUFFIELD, Va. (WJHL) — Officials revealed on Tuesday that the swimming pool at Natural Tunnel State Park, which has remained closed since the COVID-19 pandemic, is set for renovations with plans to hopefully reopen by 2026.

Representatives from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and Virginia State Parks were at the park to reveal plans for the pool.

“This is really thanks to our legislators and their constituents for letting them know how important the pool is to our community,” stated Park Manager Robert Chapman. “And so, we’re hoping to have the pool back open again here at Natural Tunnel for future generations to enjoy.”

Work on the renovation project will begin in November and will include a new splash pad and accessibility upgrades.

State park swimming pools remained closed in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2022, it was announced that the swimming pools at Natural Tunnel and two other state parks would not open for the summer following an engineering analysis that identified “significant code issues and safety concerns” at each pool.

The Natural Tunnel pool facility includes a snack bar and water slide.