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Hartford recreation department sets June 16 target to open pools, expands programs and staffing
Summary
The newly formed Department of Sports and Recreation told council members it plans to open all four major pools by June 16, is building staff capacity including a lifeguard class of 18, and is using grant funding to pilot new programs including e‑gaming, futsal and expanded summer gym programs.
Director Bridal Gallagher told the Hartford City Council committee that the recently established Department of Sports and Recreation has focused its first 10 months on building programming, staffing and systems — and on reopening facilities the city closed in prior years.
Gallagher said the department aims to open the four major outdoor pools — Goodwin, Pope, Kinney and Copark — on June 16, and to staff them with newly trained lifeguards. "Yes. For the first time and as long as I can remember, we're gonna open up in June," Gallagher said, adding the city has a current lifeguard training class of 18 and plans to hire from that class.
The department reported 11 full‑time positions (two vacancies), about 50 part‑time year‑round employees and roughly 85 seasonal staff who work primarily in summer operations such as camps and pools. Gallagher said the department absorbed an…
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