Locals and visitors to the Big Country will have a new place to swim in 2013: Lake Abilene.

The Abilene City Council voted Thursday to open the door for swimming in a lake where it currently isn’t allowed.

Officials said Lake Abilene should be ready for swimmers during the spring of 2013, if there is a sufficient amount of rain.

Covering one to two acres, the swimming area will be up to eight feet deep.

Texas Parks and Wildlife had suggested the change because Abilene State Park’s pool is overcrowded with visitors each weekend.

Meanwhile, Mayor Norm Archibald said the Splash Park at Nelson Park should be opening the end of July.