Due to significant staffing shortages and availability of current staff, the Furman Aquatic Center will have very few offerings over Memorial Day weekend. The facility would normally open for the season on Saturday, May 28.
Furman Hours – Opening Weekend
- Saturday, May 28 – Long Course Lap Swim (7-10 a.m.), Water Walking (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), and Adult Lap Swim (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Testing for Deep Water wristbands for youth ages 12 and under will be conducted 1-4 p.m.
- Sunday, May 29 – Water Walking (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), and Adult Lap Swim (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Testing for Deep Water wristbands for youth ages 12 and under will be conducted 1-4 p.m.
- Schedule for Monday, May 30 – Sunday, June 5 will be posted on Friday at www.amesparkrec.org and social media outlets.
“We know this announcement will be disappointing to our swimmers who look forward to this day with anticipation,” said Parks and Recreation Director Keith Abraham. “Despite our extensive efforts to recruit and train employees, we did not reach the state-mandated safety requirements to open the facility this weekend. That news is disappointing to us as well. Because safety remains our No. 1 priority, we can’t open without meeting the staffing minimums.”
Staffing the Furman Aquatics Center has historically been challenging. This season, the Parks and Recreation Department noted a significant decrease in applicants. To increase awareness of the need for employees, City recruiters attended job fairs, did radio and television interviews, blasted social media with ads and messages, pushed out e-newsletters and press releases, posted signs at facilities, and posted yard signs to let the public know summer jobs are available. The department increased wages, offered certification training at no cost to the potential staff, provided flexible scheduling, and targeted non-traditional employees such as teachers and retirees.
“These efforts did create more applicants, but many of them needed to successfully complete lifeguard or slide attendant training prior to working. Unfortunately, not all our new employees have completed their certifications. They are close, but not able to work this weekend,” Abraham said. “We continue to hire and train new employees, and we encourage anyone interested to apply.”
The pool staffing shortage is not a problem unique to Ames. Aquatic centers in central Iowa, the state, and across the nation are facing increased difficulty hiring qualified employees. Other Iowa communities have been forced to consolidate operations and open fewer facilities and/or consider reducing hours of operation for the season due to projected staffing shortages, Abraham said.
The key staffing shortage is for lifeguards, and more lifeguard training is being planned. Lifeguard training (online and in-person) takes 27 hours to complete, and there is no fee for anyone who works for the City of Ames. Slide attendants require a four-hour First Aid/CPR/AED certification. First aid classes are being scheduled and will be provided by the City of Ames. Applicants must be a minimum of 15 years old for lifeguards and 16 years old for water slide attendants. There is also a need for swim instructors, and applicants must be 15 or older.
For more information about applying for a position at the Furman Aquatic Center, go to www.cityofames.org/jobs.
The Parks and Recreation Department manages 38 parks and offers approximately 180 athletic, aquatic, instructional, and wellness programs. Indoor programs are provided year-round at the Community Center and Ames/ISU Ice Arena.
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