LA County extends pool season, more than doubling lifeguard staff
Families seeking relief from the heat this summer have reason to rejoice.
Los Angeles County will extend operating dates and hours at its 41 swimming pools across 30 locations after more than doubling the number of lifeguards, officials announced on Friday, June 14.
Board of Supervisor Janice Hahn, wearing a straw hat, lifeguard uniform and whistle, declared the extended pool season officially open during a press conference and pool party at the Don Knabe Regional Park Pool in Cerritos.
Under the old 10-week swim season, Hahn said, county pools were locked up and out of reach by residents when it became really hot.
“The real warm weather comes in August,” Hahn said. “But in all the past years, our LA County pools would shut down at the end of August and that never made sense because some of our hottest days come in September, October.”
The county pools will now be open through the end of October, with increased hours into the evenings.
This year marks the first time all LA County pools have been open since 2020 and with an initiative passed by Supervisor Janice Hahn, at Don Knabe Regional Park Pool in Cerritos on Friday, June 14, 2024. With the hiring of more lifeguards, instead of 10 weeks the pools will open for 5 months, from June through Oct.. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Happy swimmers make a splash at the Don Knabe Regional Park Pool in Cerritos on Friday, June 14, 2024. This marks the first time all LA County pools have been open since 2020 and with an initiative passed by Supervisor Janice Hahn, instead of 10 weeks the pools will open for 5 months, from June through Oct.. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
This year marks the first time all LA County pools have been open since 2020 and with an initiative passed by Supervisor Janice Hahn, at Don Knabe Regional Park Pool in Cerritos on Friday, June 14, 2024. With the hiring of more lifeguards, instead of 10 weeks the pools will open for 5 months, from June through Oct.. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Mayor of Cerritos Naresh Solanki speaks at Don Knabe Regional Park Pool in Cerritos on Friday, June 14, 2024. With an initiative passed by Supervisor Janice Hahn, and the hiring of more lifeguards, instead of 10 weeks the pools will open for 5 months, from June through Oct.. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Happy swimmers make a splash at the Don Knabe Regional Park Pool in Cerritos on Friday, June 14, 2024. This marks the first time all LA County pools have been open since 2020 and with an initiative passed by Supervisor Janice Hahn, instead of 10 weeks the pools will open for 5 months, from June through Oct.. (Photo by Brittany M. Solo, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Besides the extended dates, county pools will also be open six days a week, from Monday to Saturday. It’s the first time in five years that’s happened, said Director of LA County Parks Norma E. García-Gonzalez.
“Our team has grown with over 580 new lifeguards, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all,” Garcia-Gonzalez said in a statement. “We aim to make swimming accessible and fun, promote essential water safety skills, and provide a vibrant, cool space for the community to stay active.”
Hahn credited a yearlong recruitment effort, streamlining the lifeguard hiriing process and a bump in hourly pay for the increase in the number of lifeguard hires this year. The starting hourly rate for county lifeguards, according to Hahn spokesperson Liz Odendahl, was raised from $20.65 to $23.86.
But personnel isn’t the only new investment for county pools.
The pools also have new lighting, according to the press release, to ensure swimmers can enjoy the water even as the sun rises later and sets earlier in the fall.
Activities available at LA County pools include low-cost swim team programs, senior aquatic exercises and the inaugural Summer Parks After Dark pool events series. To find a county-sponsored aquatics program, visit parks.lacounty.gov/aquatics.
Doubling up on top predators for Fish of the Week News Here's to doubling down on top-end predators for Fish of the Week. Eric Stark messaged last week from ChiYak Adventures camp, "Shore camp this week. . . . This kid probably deserves fish of the week." Yes, Jakub Stachura, 11, does. He caught a muskie from the Fox River, "somewhere…
A look at the historic Summit County ranch that recently sold for more than $21 million News By Robert Tann, The Summit Daily More than 1,000 acres of Summit County land that includes water rights and commercial activity is set to come under new ownership following a multimillion-dollar sale this spring. Related Articles Real Estate | New downtown Denver hotel announces two restaurants, one with a rooftop…
Vikings Floated as Landing Spot for UFL Standout With Ties to Coaching Staff Sports The Minnesota Vikings have Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison meaning their top two spots at wide receiver. An argument can even be made that free agent pickup and minicamp standout Robert Tonyan operates more like a wide receiver than a tight end. Still, there is a void at the third…
Travis Kelce Sends Strong Message to Chiefs’ Coaching Staff About Workload Sports Despite entering the 2024 NFL season at 34 years old — and he will turn 35 in October — Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has made one thing abundantly clear to Kansas City’s coaching staff: He wants the same workload that he typically gets. “Wear and tear me,…
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok