There will be no lifeguards at the popular Bloedel Donovan Swim Area this year due to staff shortages, the City of Bellingham announced Monday, June 24.
“Despite our many efforts, we don’t have enough senior experienced lifeguards to provide this service at Bloedel Donovan Park this summer,” Bellingham Parks and Recreation Director Nicole Oliver said in a city news release. “Shortages of lifeguards, especially those with adequate experience and credentials for open water swimming, are causing swim beach and pool limitations and closures across the country.”
The American Lifeguard Association estimates that one-third of the 309,000 public pools in the U.S. were affected by the lifeguard shortage in 2023, and that this year could be worse. The city is continuously recruiting qualified lifeguards for the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center, as well as the swim area (salary ranges from $16.28–$19.88 an hour). It takes 35 lifeguards to fully staff both locations and the city currently has less than half of the staff members needed to offer lifeguards at the pool and beach.
“The core mission of our aquatics program is to teach people the life-saving skill of swimming,” Oliver said. “We will focus this summer on swim lessons, fitness programs and open swim hours at the pool. We look forward to a busy summer at the Aquatic Center, and we will continue building our lifeguard team in hopes of being back at Bloedel Donovan Park next summer.”
Construction will be ongoing at the Electric Avenue bridge this summer and maintenance projects are continuing in and around the park. The city is asking visitors to exercise patience and caution in the area.
Julia Tellman writes about civic issues and anything else that happens to cross her desk; contact her at juliatellman@cascadiadaily.com.
