Niagara Falls, N.Y. (WBEN) - After an intense heatwave with temperatures reaching into the 90s, the city of Niagara Falls has not opened their public pools, causing frustration for residents.
Niagara Falls Mayor Rob Restaino tells WBEN that the pool at Hyde Park will have to be looked at for repairs so that it can last into the summer.
Staffing issues have been a problem for Niagara Falls and Restaino said that communities all across Western New York have struggled to find lifeguards and park attendants, adding that the crew for Niagara Falls will be able to attend all the venues in Niagara Falls.
Other communities across Western New York have offered to help out with staffing shortages.
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"You're looking at summer work for young people, and part of the key is making sure that the dollars per hour are competitive, and whatever we can do to make it attractive for those seasonal workers that we're looking for," Restaino said. "So we do keep our eye on things outside of our city, but in our region and again, you know, we just want to make sure that we stay competitive, so that we're an attractive opportunity for the young folks to come and work for us."
Restaino wants to make sure staff that are freshly out of school are properly trained before opening for the season.
Assembly member Angelo Morinello feels that the state has not focused enough training for the younger generation.
"The key is this: everyone took [public pools] for granted through the years. But I think there wasn't enough focus directed from Albany on not only the need to supply them but the need to train and teach the young generation on how to swim for their own safety."