Lifeguards in Demand as People Flock to Public Swimming Pools
This week’s 90-degree weather has people seeking relief at local pools and ponds. But public swimming places are trying to seek relief themselves due to a shortage of lifeguards.
“We are less dire than we have been in past years, but we are still definitely in need,” said Angie Dehn, manager of the Maple Grove Community Center.
Dehn is looking for people to suit up and lifeguard at the Grove Cove Aquatic Center.
“Ideally, we’d like to have around 60 lifeguards. Right now, we are kind of hovering around 40-50 on a given day,” said Dehn.
According to the American Lifeguard Association, about a third of public pools are affected by a staffing shortage. A job posting for a lifeguard can also be found at the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center.
Dehn said finding qualified applicants or those that want to be trained is a factor in the shortage.
“You can’t just hire somebody right off and get them started,” said Dehn. “They have to take classes and be certified. So it’s a little different than just your standard part-time job.”
Lifeguard shortage impacting Maple Grove community pool.
The Elm Creek Park Reserve swimming pond is also in need of lifeguards.
“There might be days in which we have to shut down a chair in order to make sure our lifeguards aren’t just in the sun all day long,” said Elm Creek Park Operations Supervisor Dominic Ray.
Dehn said the Maple Grove community pool may even have to take further steps.
“If we don’t have the lifeguards that we need, we’ve had to change our hours of operation, so maybe the pool is not open as late as possible or as early as we’d like to because we don’t have the staff power to do that,” said Dehn.
Officials are hoping the shortage won’t come to that and that candidates will want to apply thanks to flexible schedules, competitive pay and paid training.
“I feel like our lifeguards have a lot of fun on duty,” said Ray. “By the end of the season, they are really a tight-knit group, it really becomes like a family type of atmosphere.”
Ray says you need to be 16 to apply to be a lifeguard at Elm Creek Park Reserve. Those at least 14 are welcome to apply for work at the concession stand.
Lifeguard shortage also affecting swimming pond at Elm Creek Park Reserve.
