Hampton Community Pool gets ready with more lounge chairs, seeks lifeguards

The good news: Help is on the way with providing a sufficient number of lifeguards for Hampton Community Pool.

But first, some help from Mother Nature is needed.

“If this weather continues, we’re going to have trouble opening,” municipal manager Chris Lochner said about work that needs to be completed prior to May 28. “We need to have consecutive dry days. We’re not getting them.”

On a more optimistic note, he said during municipal council’s April 27 meeting that parents of Hampton Hammerheads Swim Team members have offered their time to serve as lifeguards. Training had been scheduled tentatively for the weekend of May 21-22.

In the meantime, preparations have taken place for what is anticipated as a busy season. “We’re looking for attendance to continue to increase from last year,” said Bill Ryder, the township’s aquatic manager. The number of pool visitors increased since 2020 when the covid-19 pandemic first hit, he said.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus that causes covid-19 does not spread via swimming pools.

New this season is the addition of 60 new chaise lounge chairs to add to the pool’s 40 seats

.“We wanted more chairs to enhance the pool experience and give guests more opportunities to relax in the chairs,” Ryder said.

The concession stand’s menu will include fresh food from Pasquale’s Pizza along Route 8, along with salads and more. Ryder is still working on the menu.

Special events include Christmas in July at 1 p.m. on the 27th, complete with a visit from Santa. The pool will offer a new event, Members Appreciation Day on July 13 with a DJ, raffle and appearance by the cartoon TV canine character Bluey for photo ops between 4 and 6 p.m.

What pools in general have struggled with is hiring enough lifeguards. Allegheny County, the City of Pittsburgh and other pools experienced staffing shortages last year.

Along with the Hammerheads parents, Hampton is seeking American Red Cross-certified lifeguards, at least 15 years old, with a starting rate of $14 an hour to work throughout the summer until Labor Day. The township will reimburse lifeguards for the certification fee.

To apply, visit hampton-pa.org for an application or pick one up from the township’s community center.