GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – The good, the bad, and the ugly.
Three Green Bay pools are being impacted in different ways due to a shortage of lifeguards.
One is already set for summertime fun.
“June 8, 100-percent, Resch Aquatic Center will open,” explains Ann Moeller, with the city’s Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department. “So we have staff there, that is no problem.”
For another location, officials have had to get a little creative.
“And it looks like we will be able to open Joannes [Aquatic Center] this weekend, as well,” explains Moeller. “As it stands now, we might not be able to have all the features running.”
Moeller goes into further details regarding what that might look like for pool-goers.
“We might be able to close an entire section of the pool,” she explains. “We have a pretty large zero depth area, we might be able to shut down, let’s say, half of that.”
And as is true for most situations, there has to be an odd man, or odd pool, out.
“Colburn [Pool] will not be open this weekend,” she says.
The culprit behind the ongoing closures is a shortage of lifeguards.
Department officials say this has been a problem going back five or six years, but never to this extent before.
“It’s something that has been happening, but this is by far the worst summer I’ve had,” says Moeller.
The city needs at least half a dozen more lifeguards for the season just to get the pools fully open.
Beyond that, they’d welcome as many applicants as they possibly could attract in order to reach a more comfortable staff number.
Lifeguarding experience isn’t a must, but those applying should have strong swimming ability.
Click here to learn more about the position and how to apply.
