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Plenty of lifeguards means city pool can return to seven-day schedule
After successive years of construction, COVID and a shortage of lifeguards, things are already looking up for the 2023 pool season at the Greencastle Aquatic Center.
What Assistant Park Director Chrysta Snellenberger has planned for this summer is the resumption of a seven-day-a-week schedule, the return of summer swim lessons and a more normal schedule for the pool lifeguards.
Thirteen guards are returning and 11 are new -- “and it’s only March,” Snellenberger excitedly told the Park Board at its March meeting.
“We had more applicants (22 or 23) by February than we had guards (18) in total last year,” she told the Banner Graphic Monday afternoon.
The renewed interest by local lifeguard-eligible young people has allowed the pool to return to being open seven days a week this summer with four sessions of learn-to-class classes being scheduled.
The aquatic center “is in the process of setting up lifeguard classes for those who need to be recertified or newly certified,” Snellenberger said.
Meanwhile, retired DePauw University swim coach Mary Bretscher will work with the guards, training eight swim instructors for the learn-to-swim program, she added. The pool did not offer swim lessons last summer.
Swim lessons will be taught in the morning during June with two 10-10:45 a.m. lesson periods over June 5-16 and June 19-30 sessions. Evening lessons will be taught in July 7-7:45 p.m. over two periods, July 10-13 and July 17-21.
To keep lifeguards with a reasonable schedule, the aquatic center will not be offering any private pool rentals this summer. The only pool rentals that will be permitted are those in which someone or some group sponsors a night at the pool where anyone can attend.
The cutback, Snellenberger said, is not just a scheduling issue but a financial one as well. Private pool rental costs did not cover the personnel costs necessary to safely allow the activity in the past.
Pool passes are now available for 2023. An individual season pool pass is $85 with a family season pass for four people at $240 (each additional person adds $50). Swimmers can also purchase a 10-punch pass (at a $10 savings) for $40.
Open swim pool hours will be noon to 7 p.m. daily with adult lap swim/tot time set for 7-8 p.m.
The Greencastle Park Board will next meet in regular session at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 5 at the park office.