The Big Sandy Swimming Pool is issuing an S.O.S. for the coming summer: Save Our Swim. They are currently facing a critical shortage of applicants to fill the needed lifeguards to run the pool for the season. If they are unable to find the necessary staff, the pool will either remain closed or will be forced to remain open only during a limited number of days and times. This is a particularly concerning development as the community has reached the $1.9 million mark in the quest to build a new pool, which will undoubtedly represent an increase in demand for lifeguards than the current pool.
Leslie Gregory has been managing the Big Sandy Pool for 18 years this summer. With the pool's June 4th opening date fast approaching, she explains that they are precariously short staffed. "I have two for sure right now, and this is the first year nobody wants to work apparently. It's a fun summer job, but we can't open the pool to service all the kids in this town and be open regular hours without lifeguards. If I don't have a few more, we will be limited in hours and days of the week that we will be open."
The job itself can be quite enjoyable, and there are elements built in to stave off potential boredom, like rotating posts every 30 minutes. Otherwise, lifeguards are paid to watch the pool and do some cleaning, taking money, etc. The shifts are short and broken up into daytime and evening. Lifeguarding can be an enjoyable, low key way to earn extra money during the summer. Leslie pointed out that lifeguards don't have to be teenagers. She has had moms work for the pool in the past.
She went on to explain the basic qualifications for prospective lifeguards: "They have to be 15 to work at the pool." She went on to explain that the swim requirements have changed as well. "This is first year they've changed it. You swim 200 meters, which is eight laps in a pool, and the last two laps (the 7th and 8th laps -Erik) you have to swim down to the shallow end, retrieve a 10-pound brick, bring it up and swim it back down to the shallow end. That's the swim test. You also have to be able to tread water with your hands above the water for either a minute or two minutes. It's not that hard. You don't have to be an Olympic swimmer or even on the swim team." She explained that this is a much easier standard for lifeguards than it was previously because much of the rescuing is done with a rescue tube."
The swim test is part of a required class lifeguards must complete. "It is an American Red Cross program. The lady that I have come and teach us, she's great. Really, if you cannot do it is the only way that you will fail to complete the course. She gives you multiple times to try to get it done."
With 2 lifeguards the pool can open, but hours would be limited, and there would likely be some gaps in service. Leslie explained that the pool can run with 6 lifeguards and be able to cover the typical open hours. Ideally, they would employ as many as 8. With that many, it is easier to remain open during special events and allow kids to take family trips or weeks off for camps. She went on to explain that she accommodates lifeguards days off requests for travel and other things when made in advance. This sometimes means closing the pool, however with more employees the need to close is less likely to arise.
Leslie also explained that the City council will be looking at possibly increasing the base pay for lifeguards this year in an effort to attract more employees. Employees also receive a raise every year they return to work at the pool.
With time running short, anyone interested in lifeguarding should reach out to Leslie Gregory to inquire about working for the pool this summer. She can be reached at 406-399-6600.
