Lifeguard shortage throws cold water on when Tri-Cities swimming pools will open

On a weekend that typically signals the unofficial start of summer, Tri-Cities swimming pools won’t be open Memorial Day weekend because many can’t find enough lifeguards

Richland Parks and Recreation told the Herald there is a shortage of people applying to be lifeguards, and they’ve been able to hire just 20 percent of the pool staff needed to operate at the full capacity and offer swim lessons.

And that means water park features like the Badger Mountain Splash Pad also can’t open yet even as a heat wave is forecast to hit the Tri-Cities next week.

“We aren’t seeing near the number (of applicants) in past years. We are down quite a bit,” said Julie Jackson, recreation manager for Richland Parks and Recreation that oversees George Prout Aquatic Complex.

The American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification is good for two years. So all the lifeguards certified in 2019 — before the pandemic — now have expired certifications.

And because the pools were closed all last year because of COVID-19 safety restrictions, few lifeguards were working.

“We missed an entire year of lifeguard certification,” she said.

Jackson said most lifeguards are high school and college students and they’ve found other jobs.

It’s the same problem nationwide.

Also, under current Washington state COVID-19 guidelines, splash parks must be monitored by staff to enforce crowd sizes.

The guidelines say if monitoring isn’t possible or practical, standalone splash parks must stay closed.

Jackson said that the Richland parks department doesn’t have the capacity to have staffing at the splash pads and wading pool like the one at Howard Amon Park.

She said that until the guidelines change or the state fully opens, it’s unclear when those will open.

And private community pools must follow the same state health department guidelines for aquatics centers.

Pasco pool

Memorial Aquatic Park, 1520 W. Shoshone St. in Pasco, will be opening June 18 for the year with a few changes.

The lockers will be closed the entire season, and swimmers are encouraged to come already dressed in swimsuits to limit use of dressing rooms.

Up to 300 swimmers will be allowed during open swim sessions. And swim lessons will be available in a limited capacity.

Swim lessons will include eight days of lessons per two-week session. Classes are Monday through Thursday with Friday used as makeup dates. Lessons have not yet been posted online for public registration.

Masks will be required on arrival and indoors — but may be taken off outside. Social distancing will be enforced with the showers stalls. Deck seating being limited.

Richland pool

George Prout Pool, 1005 Swift Blvd. in Richland, plans to open to the public June 19 with limited capacity.

Some open swim and lap swim sessions will be available in the first few weeks, and lifeguard certification classes are expected to be offered. Swim teams and summer swim leagues will not be offered this year.

No details about swim lessons have been finalized, but the parks department said they hope to start lessons after July 4.

Jackson said the parks department still is ironing out other details and to watch the parks and recreation’s website for details as they released.

Kennewick pool

Kenneth Serier Memorial Pool is on track to start offering swimming lessons June 21.

Kennewick Parks and Recreation director Emily Estes-Cross told the Herald that they will be having lifeguard re-certification over the next few weeks so they can open.

Estes-Cross said they haven’t had trouble hiring lifeguards this year. “We have a number of returning lifeguards. We were able to get a lot of kids back,” she said.

There will be four swimming lesson sessions from June to August with lessons lasting two weeks. Registration begins June 7 for residents and June 9 for others.

Levels start at parent/tot and go to level 5. Private lessons and adaptive lessons for those with special needs also will be offered.

The pool also will be available for private party reservations.

Estes-Cross said that splash pads throughout the city will remain closed under current guidelines because the city doesn’t have the capacity to staff them as required.

For more information, see the Kennewick Park’s and Recreation Activity Guide at go2kennewick.com

Hermiston

The Hermiston Family Aquatic Center an hour south of Tri-Cities in Hermiston, Ore., is working toward opening in June, but because of a staffing shortage no swim lessons have been set.

The facility is accepting applications for lifeguards and will open swim lessons once enough lifeguards and swim instructors are hired.

The center features a six-lane, 50-meter lap pool, splash pad with lazy river, three water slides and a diving board.

Moses Lake

Surf ‘N Slide Water Park in Moses Lake, about 70 miles north of Pasco, is opening for Memorial Day weekend.

The aquatic center at 401 W. Fourth Ave. will have public swim 11 a.m. to 6:30 Monday through Friday. Pre-registration online is highly recommended because of limited daily capacity and will be accepted up to a week in advance.

Chairs around the pool are limited and the picnic shelter is not available.

Swim lessons will be offered in limited capacity.

Masks will be required indoors and when entering. Those who are not in compliance will be asked to leave.

For more information, call 509-764-3842 or go to cityofml.com/394/Surf-n-Slide-Water-Park.

This story was originally published May 26, 2021 at 5:00 AM.