The City of Covington put out an urgent call on Friday: ten more lifeguards are needed in order to open its swimming facilities next week at full schedule.
“We’re just desperate,” said Ben Oldiges, manager of the city’s parks and recreation department. “If we’re not at full strength, the hours our pools are open might be curtailed, or the schedule will have to be shifted, meaning that one or both pools might be closed a day or two each week. That’s the hard truth.”
The city contracts with SwimSafe Pool Management to operate its two pools and one water park.
Both the city and the contractor are urging families to reach out to young people to consider being a lifeguard as a summer job.
“We need help,” Oldiges said.
The job pays $12-$13 an hour. Those who are not yet certified to be a lifeguard can receive free certification and paid training, the city said. Lifeguards must be at least 15 years old.
The work week is 40 hours long, and the pools are scheduled to open June 11.
To apply:
- Go to www.swimsafepool.com.
- Call Covington Parks & Rec at (859) 292-2151.
- Stop by the Parks & Rec office at City Hall, 20 West Pike St., and fill out an application in person.
Oldiges said 50 lifeguards, pool attendants, and front desk workers have already been hired, but despite extensive advertising and outreach to schools, the swim workforce remains 10 lifeguards short.
Covington has full-size pools at Goebel Park and Randolph Park, and also operates the Latonia Water Park/Splash Pad.
The water attractions were closed in 2020 due to the pandemic and averaged 178 daily swimmers in 2021.
“Our pools are and have long been important parts of summer fun in Covington, and we want to keep that fun available this year,” Oldiges said. “But if we don’t have enough lifeguards, the simple reality is we can’t do that safely, and our families will suffer for it.”
