Only two city pools opening this summer due to lack of lifeguards

Rochester, N.Y. — The City of Rochester opened some of its pools for the season Tuesday, but trying to hire lifeguards hasn't gone swimmingly.

“Coming out of the COVID pandemic, it kind of charged our routines," said Eric Rose, the city's director of athletics. "Usually we do our recruiting on schools but because of hybrid and virtual schools, that hindered our recruiting."

The city is short by 25 to 30 lifeguards. Usually three to four pools are open each summer, but it has enough lifeguards to staff just two pools.

The shortage isn't happening just in Rochester.

The American Red Cross, which provides lifeguard training and certification, says enrollment in 2020 was down 48 percent from the previous year.

Doug French, deputy director for the Monroe County Parks Department, says the lifeguard shortage was anticipated. The department went to great lengths to staff Ontario Beach Park, he said.

“We reached out to all the varsity swim teams in the county and all the girls and boys coaches, saying we have jobs available for the summer, knowing that they can swim and they just need their lifeguard certificate,” said French.

French says they hired 17 lifeguards but are still short a few employees. To submit a lifeguard application to the county, click here. https://cs.monroecounty.gov/hrapply/apply/view/4864

The city is still accepting lifeguard applications. Click here to apply.

The Adams St. R-Center at 85 Adam St. and Trenton & Pamela Jackson R-Center at 485 N. Clinton Ave are open. The pools will be open 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., Mon.–Fri. through August 28.

The Genesee Valley Park pool is closed for renovations.