For the second year in a row a lifeguard shortage is threatening to impact operation of the Selkirk Park Pool.
In a proactive move last year, the City of Selkirk began offering in-house training for the Lifesaving Society National Lifeguard Service Award (NLS) as well as recertification for lifeguards. The same was offered this year – free of charge for qualifying applicants– but only three have taken the training and just 10 people have applied for a position at the pool. To date, there have been no qualified applicants for pool supervisor.
The city requires 18-20 lifeguards to open the pool daily from the end of June to the end of August, from 11am to 8pm, seven days a week.
“Through the pandemic access to pools wasn’t available and people weren’t taking training,” says Brady Clark, the city’s Director of Culture, Recreation and Green Transportation.
“Now we’re backlogged. All the people we typically hire at ages 16, 17, 18, their credentials are back to what they were when they were 14.”
Without enough staff, the city will have to consider reduced days and/or hours at the pool this summer. Also, swimming lessons could be reduced or cancelled if there isn’t enough staff.
Communities across the country feeling the pinch
Communities across the country are experiencing lifeguard shortages. In Winnipeg, there are 220 lifeguards hired, leaving 80 positions unfilled and the city offering a greatly reduced number of spots for swim lessons.
Clark says the last thing the city wants to do is reduce operating hours or make changes to programming.
“The pool is well utilized. We don’t want to reduce hours, but this is a possibility if people don’t apply for these positions and the training.”
You must be 16-years of age to be a lifeguard. Those with their Bronze Cross can also apply to be a lifeguard assistant.
“The assistants help us supplement, but we still need lifeguards.”
If you’re interested in applying for any of the following jobs, please head to MySelkirk.ca/Employment.
- Pool Supervisor
- Head Lifeguard
- Lifeguard and Swim Instructors
If you’re interested in applying for training to become certified or recertified as a lifeguard, please contact CitizenSupport at 204-785-4900 or [email protected]
