Staff shortages leading to minor inconveniences

Alicia Boisson
South Peace News

In recent months, staff shortages at the High Prairie Aquatic Centre were taking its toll on not only the facility but also on the patrons who stopped in for a swim. The shortage was limiting the number of bathers allowed in the facility causing some frustration with locals. However, manager Penny Krieger says she is expecting about three or four new lifeguards. “We have been holding a number of courses in the past month for certification and I am expecting that within the near future we will have a few more guards to help solve the problems we have been experiencing,” says Krieger, adding some students will also be returning for summer positions. Although the limited amount of space in the pool has upset many people, Krieger says there are safety measures that have to be taken to keep the facility a fun safe place to enjoy. “We can only have 40 people per guard,” says Krieger. “But in the same instance we can only allow the guards to stay on deck for 30 minutes at a time; otherwise they lose their alertness. So we have really had to cut back on the number of bathers, limiting the number to about 50.” In addition to the shortage, Krieger adds the centre is a very difficult facility to guard. “There are a lot of blind spots because it is not an open design. We have the rocks and all of the spray toys, that create visual hazards for our guards so we have to be extra careful,” says Krieger. Krieger is asking that patrons remain patient, because they are hoping to have the problems resolved as soon as possible. Meanwhile, they are doing the best they can with what they have. “My staff have been working very hard to cover the problem and a lot of them have been working seven days a week,” says Krieger. “I want them to know that we really appreciate everything they have been doing.” Krieger says she hopes all problems will be resolved by the end of April, and the bather capacity will be back to normal.

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