Albert-Oakland Pool reopens after fixing filter issues; city has around a dozen more lifeguards ‘in the hiring process’

COLUMBIA MO. (KMIZ)

Albert-Oakland Family Aquatic Center reopened to the public Friday after being closed for four days due to issues with its filtration system.

Columbia Aquatic Recreation Supervisor Sydney Philpot said the repairs have been completed along with the pool being vacuumed to clear up the water.

Philpot said the reason for the pool being closed the past three days was not a repair issues, but one that had to do with swimmer safety.

"The reason we decided to close was not because the water was unsafe to swim in, it was because if something happened our lifeguards were unable to see the bottom of the pool," she said. "If a lifeguard can't see someone struggling underneath the water, then we are unable to go in and save them."

While the filtration issues are resolved, area parks are recreations departments are still navigating another major summer hurdle: Seasonal staffing.

Philpot said right now there are around 60 lifeguards on staff and another 12 currently in the hiring process.

"Ideally we would like to be closer to 100 lifeguards; but scheduling wise, we will be able to manage the schedule with the 75 guards we do have," she said.

Philpot said the staffing levels will not affect normal operating hours, and all city pools are expected to remain open as scheduled.

"We are able to do all normal hours and be staffed at the pools, It just means that when lifeguards go on vacation or if they have summer school or sports, I just have to shuffle around the schedule a little better," She said.

As for Jefferson City, all pools are currently operating during normal hours. Phil Stiles with the city's parks and recreation department said it has hired around 100 aquatic staff for the summer, which includes pool managers, lifeguards, swim instructors, attendants and concessional staff.

The volume of visitors keeps pool staff busy over the summer months.

Data from the City of Columbia shows from May 2025 through August 2025, lifeguards made 72 rescues across five pools. With that in mind, aquatics staff are reminding visitors if key safety practices to keep in mind while at the pool.

Philpot said that the first thing she recommends is parents remain in arms reach of their children while in the water.

"A parent is kind of the first person to notice something because you know your child. They might notice their kid struggling potentially even before a lifeguard," she said.

Additionally Philpot said the best way you can protect young swimmers at the pool is always having them wear a lifejacket.

"There is no area of the pool that is unseen. We will always have lifeguards on stand so that way everywhere can be seen by all of our lifeguards," She said.

Cristi Brown, a swimmer at the West Broadway Swim Club in Columbia, said she believes the best way to stay safe at the pool is to take swim lessons.

"Any kind of pool training for your children, especially safety issues," Brown said. "We have got a lot of waterways in Missouri so it is just a life saving lesson."