Denver’s outdoor pools season will be delayed

For the second summer time in a row, a extreme lifeguard scarcity within the Denver metro space is delaying public pool openings and limiting hours of operation.

Why it issues: Swimming pools provide a reprieve from the scorching warmth, and metropolis leaders have mentioned rec facilities can assist younger folks keep busy and secure amid what’s predicted to be a violent summer time.

Particulars: 5 indoor swimming pools throughout Denver — Ashland, Central Park, Scheitler, Twentieth Avenue and Washington Park — shall be quickly closed as a result of the town’s parks and rec division has lower than half the required lifeguards to function all 30 swimming pools at full capability.

• Different swimming pools, together with at Montclair Recreation Middle and La Alma Lincoln Park, stay closed for upkeep and repairs.

What they’re saying: The town mentioned it selected the 5 indoor swimming pools to quickly shut primarily based on a number of components together with fairness, utilization and proximity to different swimming pools.

• The closures will permit the parks division to give attention to out of doors pool operations.

Of be aware: Denver’s out of doors pool season formally begins June 13 to provide time for further lifeguard certification courses. The season normally kicks off June 6, metropolis parks and recreation spokesperson Cyndi Karvaski informed Axios Denver.

Zoom out: Different metro-area swimming pools are opening for the summer time season with restrictions:

• Aurora’s six public out of doors swimming pools have opened with restricted hours as a consequence of staffing shortages.
• And in Boulder, the Scott Carpenter Pool opened its full summer time schedule Tuesday — however the Spruce Pool shall be closed this summer time as a result of the town was solely in a position to rent 90 of the 140 lifeguards wanted for “superb” operations.

The large image: Throughout the nation, cities together with Austin, Chicago, Philadelphia and the Twin Cities are dealing with comparable lifeguard deficits.

• The guard scarcity may forestall a few third of greater than 300,000 public swimming pools nationwide from opening, per the American Lifeguard Affiliation.