The public pool in Lancaster County’s Central Park will be open beginning this Saturday, July 2, the county commissioners and the Parks & Recreation Department announced Thursday.
Initially, the pool will be open through the July 4 holiday, then the following weekend, the county said. The hours will be noon to 7 p.m. except Sundays, which will be 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Up-to-date operating hours will be posted on the pool web page.
The pool’s opening was thrown into doubt this year due to an acute lack of lifeguard recruits, part of a nationwide shortage.
Initially, the county announced the pool would not open. After that sparked a public outcry, officials redoubled their search for lifeguards, enlisting local nonprofits and schools and arranging for training for candidates.
“We wish to thank the members of the community that stepped up with offers of help to get us to the point that the pool can be opened,” county officials said in a statement.
The county specifically cited the assistance of the School District of Lancaster, Lancaster Country Day School, the Red Cross and the YMCA of the Roses.
“We could not have done this without everyone’s support,” the county’s statement said.
Last fall, anticipating recruiting difficulties due to the ongoing labor shortage, the county raised lifeguard wages from $11 to $15 an hour. It raised admission fees as well, to offset the increased expense.
Pool admission is $9 per day, with children aged 2 and under admitted free. There are no season passes this year, the county said.
