Columbus pools to open after years of closure. But now they need more lifeguards
All Columbus public pools are expected to reopen this summer for the first time in eight years. However, these pools now need more lifeguards.
The Psalmond Road pool, Rigdon Park pool and the Shirley Winston pool had been closed due to maintenance issues before they were ultimately demolished and replaced with new pools, the Ledger-Enquirer reported.
Columbus parks and recreation director Holli Browder gave a presentation Tuesday night to the Columbus Council which shows the Double Churches pool, Psalmond Road pool, Rigdon Park pool and Shirley Winston pool will open May 28. The pools will operate Wednesdays through Fridays from noon-6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. The pools will be closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
The city has 52 lifeguards and needs 73 more lifeguards, according to Browder. She said the goal is to have 125 lifeguards, 25 for each pool, including the Columbus Aquatic Center. Browder said the city has 300 applicants who have been contacted for lifeguard positions.
Browder said, out of those 300 applicants, 18 have pulled their applications and 46 signed up to test for prerequisites. The lifeguards must pass pre-test requirements of two 150-yard swims, treading water for 2 minutes and retrieving a 10-pound brick from water 8 feet deep.
She said 24 applicants passed their prerequisites, 15 did not pass and seven didn’t show up.
Councilor responds to pool opening after seven years of being closed
The pool in Councilor Toyia Tucker’s District 4, Shirley Winston Park pool, has been closed since 2018 due to previous maintenance issues, the Ledger-Enquirer reported.
Tucker told the Ledger-Enquirer she is excited and already has an event planned for the pool at Shirley Winston.
“It’s a kickoff to the summer swimming season,” she said. “Gonna do a community block party for District 4. The sheriff is providing the food.”
Tucker said the event will take place May 31.
“We have a lot of new features at the pool and just the newness and people are going to be excited,” she said.
Tucker said she is looking forward to seeing the faces of kids and families when they swim at the pool.
The council passed a motion April 8 raising the pay of aquatic staff from $14 an hour to $16 an hour. Tucker said people can apply for the lifeguard positions by going to columbusga.gov and clicking and navigating to the careers site.
Tucker said the city certifies its lifeguards for free as compared to other locations where the applicants would have to pay to obtain their certification. Browder’s presentation stipulated this is under the condition the person works for Columbus after being certified.
This story was originally published April 23, 2025 at 2:34 PM.