BARRHEAD - A shortage of certified lifeguards as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted the Town of Barrhead’s ability to offer leadership certification courses to fill vacancies, is forcing the Barrhead Regional Aquatics Centre to reduce its operating hours.
In a news release sent out on Aug. 18, the town announced that the aquatics centre will be open from 6:30-11 a.m. and 4-8:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday and from 12-6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday starting Sept. 1.
The release notes that the town had to temporarily lay off numerous staff at the aquatics centre due to the provincial restrictions around fitness and aquatic facilities throughout 2020 and 2021.
However, it also created another problem in terms of future staff recruitment. Normally the Town of Barrhead would offer certification courses to train more lifeguards, allowing vacancies to be filled when their current lifeguards moved on to post-secondary education.
But with the aquatics centre shut down due to the pandemic, those courses could not be held and now the town has a shortage of qualified people. (Incidentally, the release states that lifeguards require a minimum of 100 hours training prior to employment.)
“The Barrhead Regional Aquatics Centre typically operates with 20 lifeguards; however, as our staff move on to post-secondary education, we will be left with only seven come Aug. 30,” said mayor Dave McKenzie. “In order to operate safely, we require a minimum of six lifeguards per day per public swim.”
McKenzie noted that this is a problem being faced by swimming pools and aquatics centres across the province.
“We are seeing similar closures in other jurisdictions due to difficulty staffing positions,” he said.
Indeed, Global News reported earlier this month that many aquatics centres across Alberta are running short on staff due to the lack of training that could be offered during the pandemic.
“We understand the frustration our public will feel with the reduced hours. We’re looking to our residents who might be interested in filling these positions to consider joining upcoming certification courses,” McKenzie said.
“It’s a very rewarding job and looks great on a resumé. This Is a great opportunity for those looking for casual or part-time work while their kids are in school.”
The release states that the town’s parks and recreation department is looking at several options to incentivize community members to become lifeguards, though those will be announced at a later date.
