Barcroft Pool at Callahan Park opens Saturday, despite a significant hole in the lifeguard roster.
Six guards were able to commit to the schedule, while others are helping out with limited availability. The pool normally has 15 to 18 guards on the roster when the pool opens to welcome swimmers.
Public Works Director Chip Comilla explained that this year’s schedule has been adjusted to allow the pool to open. The first week, there will be no swim team or swim lessons.
The schedule moving forward will include swim lessons and swim team practice three days per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday).
One thing families won’t see is the evening open swim. The pool will not be open from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Instead, an extra hour has been added to the afternoon swim, with the pool open 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Swim lessons will be from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Swim team will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The city is still hiring, and if more lifeguards apply and are hired, the schedule for the summer may be adjusted again. For now, the schedule is the best avenue with the lifeguards available.
