Columbia pool could face closures amid staffing issues
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Douglass Family Aquatic Center reopened for the first time this summer Tuesday as Columbia Parks and Recreation is facing short staffing.
Mike Griggs, the director of the parks and recreation department, said he was unsure if reopening Douglass pool was even an option this summer. The department normally has 175 to 200 lifeguards staffed, but this year there are only 50.
"That's one of the factors of why we're really restricting our hours of our facilities," Griggs said.
Griggs said that the lack of lifeguards this year will cause both the Lake of the Woods pool and Little Mates Cove to remain closed.
According to Griggs, lifeguards ideally work at one specific pool for the summer. However, the staff will have to rotate this year in order to keep Albert-Oakland, Douglass and the Arc pools open.
Griggs said there could be days where Douglass pool unexpectedly closes if staffing is not available.
“We may have to shut down the pool unannounced," Griggs said. "But hopefully we'll be able to keep the staff rotated enough that we can keep Albert-Oakland and Douglass open every day this summer as weather allows.”
Douglass pool will have the same two session schedule as Albert-Oakland pool.
The first session will start at noon and end at 2 p.m.. The last session will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Columbia Parks and Rec encourages everyone to try to get to the pool at the start time so they are able to enjoy the full two hours.
