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Washington Park pool to open June 7; city warns Fallon Park opening may be delayed amid lifeguard shortage
Summary
City Manager Turner told council the new Washington Park Pool will open June 7 with features including a water slide and lazy river; staff reported ongoing lifeguard recruitment challenges that could delay Fallon Park Pool.
Roanoke City Manager Nancy Turner told council on June 2 that the city's new Washington Park Pool is scheduled to open on Saturday, June 7, and that a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held June 6 at 3 p.m., but that ongoing lifeguard staffing shortages may delay the opening of Fallon Park Pool.
Turner described the Washington Park Pool as the result of extensive public input and planning, with amenities including a zero-entry area with splash features, a 14-foot water slide, three lap lanes and a lazy river. She said staff have been working with Human Resources to expedite onboarding and that nine lifeguard candidates were in the hiring process at the time of the briefing; six had not yet formally accepted positions.
"We are still experiencing staffing challenges," Turner said, noting that most pool-clerk positions—many filled by teen apprentices—are filled successfully, but the pool openings remain contingent on certified lifeguards being onboarded.
The city invited the public to the ribbon-cutting and said further updates on pool openings and operations would be issued by staff. No council vote was required for the update; council thanked staff for recruitment efforts and public outreach.
