PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — As the summer heat intensifies, Philadelphia is struggling to open its public swimming pools. Like many other seasonal employers, the city is suffering from a labor shortage, as pool openings are being curtailed by a lack of lifeguards.
Only four pools will open on Wednesday, the first day of the season. More will come online over the following 10 days, but the city expects to be able to operate a maximum of 47, just 70% of its pools.
Click here for a listing of the Philadelphia public pool opening schedule, or scroll below.
Mayor Jim Kenney blamed pandemic-extended unemployment benefits.
"If you can sit home and make more money, people do that. I don’t know what each person’s circumstance is, but it’s been shown, just about every place they’re short workers, that’s the problem," said Kenney.
Many factors play into the imbalance in the labor market, but economists at Bank of America have estimated that those who earned less than $32,000 a year at their previous jobs can get more money from pandemic-related unemployment assistance, according to the Associated Press.
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He said the city has raised lifeguard pay, held job fairs and even gone door-to-door to recruit staff, and still fell short. The city has instead devised a plan to open pools according to geography, usage and neighborhood need, looking to maximize access in every part of the city.
"We’re working hard to get the pools open," he said.
"We had a situation last summer where they weren’t open at all, so we’re trying to get our way back and do it equitably."
The city said all of its spraygrounds will be open, to help residents cool off.
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Click here for a map of cooling bus, public sprayground and cooling center locations.
Here is the schedule of Philadelphia public pool openings:
Wednesday, June 30
J. Finnegan Playground, 6801 Grovers Ave., 19142
Mander Playground, 2140 N. 33rd St., 19121
Samuel Recreation Center, 3539 Gaul St., 19134
Vogt Recreation Center, 4131 Unruh Ave., 19135
Thursday, July 1
Bridesburg Recreation Center, 4625 Richmond St., 19137
Francisville Playground, 1737 Francis St., 19130
Lackman Playground, 1101 Bartlett St., 19115
Simpson Recreation Center. 1010 Arrott St., 19124
Friday, July 2
Barry Playground, 1800 Johnston St., 19145
Cobbs Creek Recreation Center, 280 Cobbs Creek Pkwy., 19139
Kendrick Recreation Center, 5822 Ridge Ave., 19128
Northern Liberties Recreation Center, 321 Fairmount Ave., 19123
Saturday, July 3
American Legion Playground, 6201 Torresdale Ave., 19135
Cherashore Playground, 851 W. Olney Ave., 19120
Fox Chase Recreation Center, 7901 Ridgeway St., 19111
Murphy Recreation Center, 300 W. Shunk St., 19148
Tuesday, July 6
Anderson Recreation Center, 740 S. 17th St., 19146
Hancock Playground ,1401 N. Hancock St., 19122
Heitzman Recreation Center, 2136 Castor Ave., 19134
Kelly Pool, 4231 Landsdowne Dr., 19131
Max Myers Playground, 1601 Hellerman St., 19149
Wednesday, July 7
Cione Playground, 2600 E. Aramingo Ave., 19125
Mitchell Playground, 3700 Whitehall Ln., 19114
Penrose Playground, 1101 W. Susquehanna Rd., 19122
Vare Recreation Center, 2600 Morris St., 19145
Pleasant Playground, 6757 Chew Ave., 19119
Thursday, July 8
Houseman Recreation Center, 5091 Summerdale Ave., 19124
Jacobs Playground, 4500 Linden Ave., 19114
Kingsessing Recreation Center, 4901 Kingsessing Ave., 19143
Sacks Playground, 400 Washington Ave., 19147
Schmidt Playground, 113 W. Ontario St., 19140
Friday, July 9
Awbury Playground, 6101 Ardleigh St., 19138
Christy Recreation Center, 728 S. 55th St., 19143
Jardel Recreation Center, 1400 Cottman Ave., 19111
M.L. King Recreation Center, 2101 Cecil B. Moore Ave., 19121
Stinger Square, 1400 S. 32nd St., 19146
Saturday, July 10
Athletic Recreation Center, 1400 N. 26th St., 19121
C.B. Moore Recreation Center, 2551 N. 22nd St., 19132
Feltonville Recreation Center, 4726-4700 Ella St, 19120
Shepard Recreation Center, 5700 Haverford Ave., 19131
Tustin Playground, 5901 W. Columbia Ave., 19151
The following pools have opening dates yet to be announced:
39th & Olive Playground, 700 N. 39th St., 19104
Ford Recreation Center, 609 Snyder Ave., 19148
Lee Cultural Center, 4328 Haverford Ave., 19104
Lonnie Young Recreation Center, 1100 E. Chelten Ave., 19138
O’Connor Pool, 2601 South St., 19146
Scanlon Playground, 1099 E. Tioga St., 19134