County's Lifeguard Shortage Forces Closure Of Ramsey Creek Beach

Cornelius NC

27 May, 2021

6:15 PM

Description

CORNELIUS, NC — Summertime water fun is facing a very tough job market this year in the Charlotte metro region. Mecklenburg County's ongoing lifeguard shortage is putting the squeeze on county pools operations and prompted the closure of a Lake Norman beach in Cornelius, the county announced this week. "The national shortage of lifeguards, which has been building for several years, coupled with the very tight employment landscape and compensation challenges, is limiting Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation's ability to open its two outdoor seasonal pools, Double Oaks and Cordelia, as well as causing the temporary closure of Ramsey Creek Beach," the county said in a statement this week. As of Tuesday, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation had filled about 35 percent of its 247 available lifeguard positions. The county is attempting to overcome the lifeguard shortage by increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour and offering a $500 signing bonus. The workforce shortage is caused, in part, to declining access to swim training for potential lifeguard job applicants, which the county said it has worked to overcome in recent years through free training and learn-to-swim programs. Anyone interested in learning more about lifeguard vacancies is asked to call Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation at 980-314-1159 or email [email protected]. "With this shortage, pool operations will be limited, and Ramsey Creek Beach will remain closed until further notice," the county said. Here are pool operating hours as of Saturday, May 29: Double Oaks Family Aquatic Center, 2014 Statesville Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28206 Saturday, May 29, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Opening day) Sunday, May 30, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday, May 31, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Holiday) Tuesday, Jun 1, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Beginning Saturday, June 5, Double Oaks will be open Thursdays & Saturdays, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center, 800 E. M.L.K. Jr. Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28202 Open Memorial Day- (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) Will maintain Regular operations and Holiday Hours on Memorial Day Monday & Wednesday- 5:30 a.m – 9:30 p.m. (Main Tank Closed 1pm-4pm) Tuesday & Thursday- 11:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Friday- 5:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Saturday- 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Sunday- Closed Cordelia Pool, 2100 N. Davidson Street, Charlotte, NC 28205 Open Sundays & Tuesdays, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.