BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Finding enough qualified lifeguards to fully staff pool operations in the city of Buffalo this Summer, proved to be too much of an issue.
The city of Buffalo announced all seven outdoor swimming pools and two wading pools will remain closed this summer due to a critical lifeguard shortage. The pools will remain empty.
"It's largely because of the Covid restrictions of the past year," said Andy Rabb, Deputy Commissioner of Parks and Recreation. "City Parks coordinate with the Police Athletic League and recruits directly through Buffalo Public Schools for the Summer lifeguard program. We do that over he Winter, but this past Winter there were no after school programs and school buildings were closed," he said. "Without being able to do that type of program, it's hard to find certified lifeguards."
Most lifeguard certification programs in Buffalo take six to eight weeks. That time requirement makes it unlikely that pools could be opened at all this Summer.
Lifeguards in Buffalo just received a bump in pay. "Lifeguards make $15.84 an hour as of yesterday," said Rabb. The previous rate was over $14 dollars an hour.
Traditionally, the City's outdoor pools are open from July 1 through Labor Day weekend.
While outdoor pools won't open this summer, 10 City splash pads have been open since Memorial Day and two indoor pools (Lovejoy and Cazenovia) are expanding hours of operation from 8am - 4pm each day.
"We plan to fully re-engage our recruitment and training program this Winter and expect to be fully back to normal next Summer," added Rabb.
City splash pads are open 11am - 7pm, daily (weather dependent) through Labor Day, September 6, 2021.
· Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park (foot of Porter Ave.)
· Allison Park (Reese St. adj. to Asarese Matters Ctr)
· Masten Park (Best St. adj. JBW Sports Pavillion)
· MLK Park Basin (Best St and Fillmore Ave)
· Lanigan Park (South Park Ave. west of Louisiana St.)
· Lincoln Park (foot of Quincy St.)
· Cazenovia Park (behind park casino)
· Houghton (foot of Spann St.)
· Schiller Park (Sprenger St. side)
· Roosevelt (foot of Roosevelt Ave.)
The Kensington splash pad is closed this summer while pool is under construction.
Starting Tuesday, July 6, two City indoor pools - Connors Kait Harrity Memorial Pool at Cazenovia Park and Lovejoy Pool, 1171 Lovejoy St. – will be open Monday – Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., for open and lane swimming, with no reservations required.
