Macon-Bibb opens third community pool for the summer

Pool at Booker T. Washington Community Center now open

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon-Bibb County is tackling lifeguard shortages head-on this summer, taking a new approach to ensure community pools are open and staffed.

Robert Walker, the Parks & Recreation Director, says lifeguard shortages have been a challenge since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Last year, the department turned to a private company for staffing, but this year, they are taking a different route.

“There’s no timeline now outside of as soon as we have enough lifeguards on staff to open those pools we will open those,” he said. “The training is a three-day process that they go through that covers treading water of course, life safety skills, as well as first aid, CPR, and AED training.”

Macon-Bibb announced Wednesday that a third pool is now open.

“The pool at the Booker T. Washington Community Center (401 Monroe Street) is officially open for the summer,” a news release stated. The pool operates Tuesday through Friday from 1-7 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with an entry fee of $1 per person. These hours and fees also apply to pools at the Delores A. Brooks Recreation Center and South Bibb Recreation Center.

As part of its strategy, Macon-Bibb County is hiring all lifeguards in-house.

“We decided that that would be the best case to give our youth here, as well as young adults a chance to be lifeguards and serve their community,” Walker said.

This approach relies on residents like Zahra Bullock, a college student eager to work this summer. Bullock encourages others to consider lifeguarding.

“If you know how to swim, I feel like you should definitely come here,” Bullock said. “If you know how to swim period and you don’t have nothing to do, I feel like this is definitely the goal. This is the job to come to, because you’re just enjoying yourself out in the sun, and it’s not too hard.”

Pools at the Frank Johnson Community Center and Memorial Park Recreation Center will open once more lifeguards are hired. Additionally, splash pads at Daisy Park, Rosa Jackson Recreation Center, Freedom Park, and South Bibb Recreation Center are already open, while crews are still working on the splash pad at Filmore Thomas Park.

For more information on becoming a lifeguard, click here.