I Hope the Lifeguards get/got a Raise

         The workout and pool activity here in Myrtle Creek has always been more than reasonable. When they raised their prices this year it did not seem like such a big deal.  In fact, the attendance has increased within the class.  We have never had as much as 8 people show up the first week (or sometimes even the entire first month) let alone 11.  Of course most of us are getting the pass deal – which really is a deal. 

          A few years before the pandemic there was a fundraiser created to help build added features to the South Umpqua Memorial Pool.  The fundraiser (here) took place in both 2018 and 2019.  I don’t know what happened to the money that was raised or what improvements were made.  I don’t see that anything tangible was added. 

          Initially we were told that the money would be going towards a splash pad – but that never happened.  An electric pool cover would be more beneficial I think.  I didn’t think about it so much until this morning when I saw all the hard work that goes into taking off the giant tarp and probably more work putting it up as we have had the challenge of the wind the last few days.

          The pool is normally uncovered by the time I get there, but I watched in both admiration and unbelief as I watched two female life guards moving and handling the sandbags and then pulling off the tarp.  I watched as the instructor joined them in removing the cover that has been keeping the pool warm this year.

          In years’ past once the pool gets uncovered it remained uncovered until the end of the season – but this year I was told they decided to save on energy and heating expenses.  I wish they would have thought about that the last two years as the pool had always felt cold.  But it really has kept it warm – at least for the morning.  But the wind does seem to cool it down rather quickly.

          It has also been more clean though not totally free of bugs and debris – there’s definitely not as much.  I remember lifeguards scooping out unwanted guests with a giant net.  They haven’t had to do that this year.  And I know the year has just started.

          I would like to see the lifeguards spend less time setting up and taking down equipment and focus on what their purpose is for being there.  Thus far I have not seen any that have had cause to jump in and save someone.  Aside from the class they seem to be babysitters as far as reminding patrons of pool rules.  Walk, don’t run.  Don’t perform unwanted acts. Common sense stuff.  They also teach swim lessons.

          In years past the pool seemed to have a good amount of lifeguards.  I’ve been told that this year they only have six.  That’s not good.  I don’t know how many are used at one time.  Two are needed for the morning class.  I don’t know how many for open swimming.  I would think all of them.  Probably have to limit the amount of people that are let in. I usually only do morning class.  And Jaime prefers the uncrowded river  as opposed to the crowded pool. 

          I had heard that is why the pool was built in the first place – to keep the youth out of the river.  I was only a year old when it was built and living in Utah.  I had no incline of its existence until we moved here in 2015.  I am grateful it is here.  I am grateful to the community who support it.