Lifeguards returning to pools

Finally, it looks as if Austin’s lifeguard shortage may be drawing to a close. Parks and Recreation’s Aquatics Division recently announced that lifeguard staffing levels have improved, allowing it to increase access to city pools. All pools currently open will add one more weekend day to their schedules starting Sunday, July 11, “so pools currently in operation will be open for both days on the weekend, and pools will be open five days a week instead of four.” In a news release, the Aquatics Division lists the obstacles it had to surmount in order to achieve this feat, including “the yearlong hiring freeze due to the pandemic, reduced training capacity due to Covid-19 health and safety protocols, and fewer experienced lifeguards on the roster. Aquatics staff will continue to hire and train lifeguards on an ongoing basis to maintain staffing levels at year-round pools, and in anticipation of next summer.” Find complete pool hours and reopening updates here.