As fall approaches and school returns to session, the Sedona Community Pool needs the immediate help of the community in order to stay open.
At least four Red Cross certified lifeguards are needed to keep the pool, located at 570 Posse Ground Road behind West Sedona School, open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays, from August through November.
“It’s not a budget issue,” Sedona Parks and Recreation Manager Rachel Murdoch said. “It’s staff. We need staff to fill these positions.”
Only two lifeguards are currently on staff for those times, Murdoch said — “Maybe. We need people to register.”
By Wednesday, July 23, they and at least two other applicants will have committed to 25 hours of certification courses and have completed a fall lifeguard application on the city of Sedona website.
Four fully committed and certified staff are needed on duty during weekday mornings and afternoons, or the pool will be closed during those times. Through at least Sunday, Nov. 9, the pool would only be open on Saturdays “and potentially Sundays,” said Ali Baxter, recreation and aquatics supervisor for Parks and Recreation. “This is possible because our high school staff is still able to work on the weekends.”
Further staff shortages, however, will further limit fall hours.
For the full story, please see the Wednesday, July 23, issue of the Sedona Red Rock News.
