Phoenix to open 18 of its 29 pools this summer

Published: Wednesday, April 17, 2024 - 4:12pm

Christina Estes/KJZZ

A lifeguard teaches a swim lesson at a Phoenix public pool.

Phoenix will open 18 public pools this summer. That’s the most since the pandemic, but still five less than the parks department had hoped.

Staffing shortages are to blame. Aquatics supervisors Becky Kirk said recruiters have visited high schools during lunch and classes.

“We had actual presentations in some of the classes at some of the high schools where we could have a question answer session with them,” she told council members.

Kirk said those visits, along with social media posts, have highlighted a junior lifeguard program the city launched last year.

“People that are interested in becoming lifeguards, we teach them the skills during the summer when they're 14 years old, 15 years old before they can be a certified lifeguard, so they get a taste of what it is. They spend their days at the pool, at the end of the program, they get certified and the following year, they're able to apply and work for us,” she said.

Like many Valley cities, Phoenix has increased pay. In 2019, a lifeguard made a little more than $11 an hour. Today, it’s nearly $18. A pool manager’s hourly wage has increased from roughly $15 to $24-$26.

Sixteen Phoenix pools will be open the full season that starts Memorial Day weekend, while two more will open for one month each.

According to the department, Eastlake Park Pool is under renovation and expected to open in 2025. Also, five will be repurposed into neighborhood splash pads as part of the voter-approved General Obligation Bond program.