BUSINESS + ECONOMY
Lifeguard shortage could limit pool hours, delay openings
WEST JORDAN, Utah — A lifeguard shortage could mean limited hours at Salt Lake County indoor and outdoor pools as the summer months approach.
Lifeguard shortage
It’s due to the numbers of applicants that Nate Greeff, one of the aquatics directors for Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation, says has slowed to a trickle.
“Historically, we get a lot of high school students,” he said. “We have seen them come in in large waves before this point, and what we’re looking at right now is a lot less than what it would be in the past.”
Greeff said like many other places, their dealing with a national worker shortage, and competition from employers who can offer more money.
“Pretty much everybody is hiring right now,” Greeff said. “In an answer to that, we’ve been expanding our pay rates.”
Trainees will now be paid $14.00 per hour. When they complete training, the pay will increase to $17.00 an hour.
Incentives
Greeff said Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation is working on incentives to help make the job more attractive. These incentives include parties and an aquatic “TikTok” challenge.
The county operates 10 indoor recreation centers, with pools, and nine outdoor pools. The outdoor pools typically open around Memorial Day. Without more lifeguards, though, Greeff said hours could be limited.
“We would have to restrict the opening of some of our pools,” he said of the lifeguard shortage. “We would have to prioritize a few pools to make sure that we could serve as many people as we can.”
Greeff said the north end of the county is where they have the fewest applicants.
Anyone who is interested in applying can go to the Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation website.
Without enough lifeguards. Salt Lake County Parks says some pool hours could be restricted. Photo Marc Giauque, KSL Newsradio
Read more:
Today’s Top Stories
Utah company with ties to polygamous group cited for violating child labor laws
Arrest made after fatal Logan Canyon crash
Additional sex charges filed against Utah businessman; more victims possible
Meteorologist says only a couple more weeks of snow and rain
The search for the caller behind Utah’s 13 school hoaxes
Elk herd returns to SLC golf course after multiple relocation attempts
Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School…
Where to get your free sandbags to help mitigate flooding
Multiple Utah schools received fake reports of school shooting, officials say
Jury finds Paltrow not liable in ski collision trial
