City Of Ames: Furman Aquatic Center Limits Offerings Over Memorial Day Weekend

Ames IA

28 May, 2022

1:37 PM

Description

Press release from the City of Ames: May 26, 2022 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 Testing for Deep Water Bands will not be offered during open swim this year. Youth (ages 12 and under) need to attend and pass a testing session in order to enter deep water. "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. This press release was produced by the City of Ames. The views expressed here are the author's own.