AUSTIN, Texas — Just in time for possible record-breaking heat, the City of Austin is opening more of its seasonal pools on Monday, June 6.
After a delay due to a continued lifeguard shortage, these 10 seasonal pools are opening Monday:
The following pools were already open prior to June 6: Bartholomew, Barton Springs, Big Stacy, Deep Eddy and Springwoods. The City also has a number of open splash pads.
However, 18 other seasonal pools remain closed because of the ongoing lifeguard shortage. And, later on Monday, City officials said Montopolis and Dove Springs Pool would be closed temporarily due to mechanical issues.
Also on Monday, City leaders announced that Barton Springs Pool will be reopening on Wednesdays, starting June 8. This means the pool will officially be returning to full operational hours. It will remain closed on Thursdays for its regular weekly cleaning.
The City needs 750 lifeguards to open all of its pools. The Parks and Recreation Department told KVUE on June 6 that they had 345 lifeguards ready to work and 150 in the training pipeline. They said once they get more lifeguards trained, then they will decide when to open the next tier of pools.
Northwest Pool is one of the pools that opened on June 6. People there were very ready to get in the water, especially since the pool had been closed the past two summer due to the pandemic in 2020 and damages from the winter storm in 2021.
“We were just talking about how, you know, previous summers, we would come here almost every day and you don't realize what you've missed until it's gone,” said Julia Kovach, who was at the pool with her kids. “Having a couple of years without Northwest Pool has been really tough, so we're very glad it's back.”
Leaders with the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department told KVUE that when they were deciding which pools to open on June 6, they used “an equitable lens to prioritize pools that have programing, proximity to other pools and pools that have not opened the last two summers.”
Normally the City opens about 20 pools on June 6 but, of course, this year they only opened ten due to not having enough lifeguards. They also typically have all 34 pools open by mid-June.
You can view which pools are open and closed, as well as their hours, by clicking here.
In Austin, lifeguards can earn up to $1,250 in bonuses and wages up to $16 to $19 an hour, depending on their experience and certifications. Staff members also get paid sick leave, a free bus pass and flexible scheduling.
Learn more about applying. For more information about Austin's pools, click here.
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