RECREATION Plano facing lifeguard shortage as summer pool season looms
BY WILLIAM C. WADSACK
features [or] have a rotation where di erent features of a pool are closed down for a while or certain bodies of water.” The city may also eliminate pool rentals after regular operating hours because of the limited number of lifeguards available, she said. “Those [rentals] are very, very popular during the summer,” Hergenrader said. “Unfortunately, that’s the rst thing that will go.” With Plano’s new outdoor family aquatic facility at Oak Point Recreation Center slated to open this summer and hours for all the city’s pools expected to be announced in mid-May, Hergenrader is encouraging those interested in a lifeguard position to apply online. “We want someone who is responsible and is a strong swimmer,” she said of potential candidates. “We will train them [to be a lifeguard]
Plano’s Jack Carter Pool could have its hours limited due to a shortage of lifeguards in the city. (WilliamC. Wadsack/Community Impact Newspaper)
As the summer season approaches, Plano is facing a shortage of life- guards that could cause o cials to limit hours at some of the city’s public pools. Plano Recreation Services Manager Susie Hergenrader said the city’s goal is to have enough lifeguards to operate all of its nine pools. “We’re working hard to make that happen,” Hergenrader said. The city also saw a shortage of lifeguards last year, which limited hours at the Jack Carter Pool and the TomMuehlenbeck Recreation Center pools. It also closed the Liberty Recreation Center pool except for popular pools open fully [this year],” Hergenrader said. “[But] we might reduce hours at those that are not as popular. We might close di erent weekends, Hergenrader said. “We’d like to keep our most
BECOMING A LIFEGUARD Plano o cials said no experience is necessary to apply to be a lifeguard, though strong swimmers are preferred.
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$13.51
30-32 May 28 9
minimum age to apply
per hour starting pay
hours needed for certi cation
opening day city pools
SOURCE: CITY OF PLANO COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
to the fullest extent, so they don’t need to come with any experience whatsoever.” City sta said Plano will con- tinue to recruit and hire lifeguards throughout the summer for the pos- sibility of expanding pool hours. The city has also increased the pay for lifeguard positions to start at $13.51 per hour, and Hergenrader said Plano has absorbed all costs associated with applying and training for the role.
“No longer do applicants have to pay for their certi cation or training or their uniform—we cover all those costs,” she said. Hergenrader said a lifeguard job could lead to full-time and even permanent employment with Plano, as several full-time employees started in that role. “I can’t emphasize enough what a great summer job it is,” she said. “We’re like a family here.”
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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