GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Green Bay only has one pool open right now, but the parks department is hoping to have all three open by the end of the month.
While a lack of lifeguards only allowed the city of open the Resch Aquatic Center to start the swimming season, Assistant Parks Director James Andersen says more help is on the way.
“We’re actually training at least fifteen guards right now. We’ve been cranking, honestly. The last three days straight through, from pretty much sun up till sun down, we’ve had lifeguards being trained in that pool,” Andersen told WTAQ News. “The highest quality certified lifeguards in the area, I guarantee that. We’re hoping to get those lifeguards scheduled and potentially open up at least one other facility by the weekend, and hopefully another facility by kids day next Friday.”
That means Andersen is holding out hope to have Joannes Aquatic Center open this weekend, with Colburn Pool opening up by next weekend. The ability to have all three open would give people more options, space, and even time.
“It just helps to get everybody into the pools and be able to spread people out a little bit,” Andersen said. “I just talked to a kid on the way in, and he just can’t wait to go down the purple slide. I don’t want that kid to have to wait half an hour to go to the purple slide. We spread things out, we have the opportunity to hopefully have shorter lines and get more people through, and have more fun.”
John was at Resch Aquatic Center with his kids on Thursday, and he’s looking forward to having more options.
“That’s going to be wonderful. There’s going to be a lot more room in the pools, less crowded, and just better for everyone in general,” he said.
But even with the ability to open up all of the pools, some limitations and breaks may be necessary to keep things moving throughout the summer.
“I’m not going to lie to you, we have high quality staff and great lifeguards coming on board here. But we have to be careful to not burn them out over the summer,” Andersen said. “It’s kind of a Rubik’s Cube right now in trying to schedule and make sure people are also getting the time they need to get out of the sun. So at times we might have some scheduled breaks in there.”
Current lifeguards are also excited about having more co-workers and help this summer. Hans has been part of the crew for six years.
“Obviously there’s a lot of work that goes into being certified and being trained to make sure everyone stays safe. But I think, at the end of the day, a lot of people really enjoy this job because they get to be outside and have fun,” Hans said. “The more lifeguards we can get, the more lifeguards that can staff the pools and help us out here at Resch as well. So we’re really looking forward to getting more guards trained in the next few weeks.”
More information about the pools and when they may be officially opening will be available on the city’s website.
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