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Wickliffe struggles to fill lifeguards; service department adds three part‑time hires
Summary
Recreation officials said the city still needs certified lifeguards and will offer a certification class; the service department reported three part‑time hires started May 5 and suggested council may consider modest budget requests to retain them into winter months.
WICKLIFFE, Ohio — City recreation and service officials told the Wickliffe City Council on May 12 that lifeguard staffing remains short and the service department recently added three part‑time workers.
Recreation Director Tim Stopp said the department still needs lifeguards and is offering a certification class at the end of the month. "If anybody wants to be a lifeguard, send them my way," Stopp said, and confirmed the current hourly pay is $12. The department is seeking certified guards, has advertised on local school boards and social media, and plans additional outreach at schools and job fairs.
Service Director Krawczyk reported that three part‑time employees began work May 5 and that TC Construction completed a 02/2024 joint slab replacement program. Krawczyk said the part‑time workers have in the past been retained into December and encouraged council to consider modest additional appropriations if management submits a business case to extend hours. "If we have the money in the general fund, we will... council can consider it," a council member said when discussing potential funding.
Council members asked about seasonal hours and whether part‑time employees could move to full‑time status; staff said hours limits and weather drive much of the seasonal scheduling. Stopp said the department is currently in a good position for day camp staffing but still short on lifeguards and is exploring senior volunteers for expanded pool use.
No council vote or budget appropriation was made at the May 12 meeting; officials were told to return with specific requests if additional funding is needed.
