The Mountain Home Community Center is restricting access to its pools due to a seasonal shortage of lifeguards, according to Parks and Recreation Director Daniel Baxley. Speaking Thursday, Baxley said the staffing changes are temporary and take effect on August 11.
“This is a summer situation only,” Baxley stated. “Hopefully the next summer it’s not.”
The center employs 70 lifeguards during the summer season, but Baxley said nearly all of them will return to school this month, leaving just six staff members available for daytime hours. Because Arkansas mandates how many lifeguards must be on duty based on the amount of water open, Baxley said the facility cannot safely operate its pools at full capacity with the current staff.
“We need 22 guards on deck from 12 to 9 p.m. to operate the facility as it is right now,” he explained. “So we have our limitations on hours, especially when you’re dealing with teenagers.”
The remaining six lifeguards will staff the center’s indoor pools, which will remain open to members. Walk-up day pass users, however, will not have access to the natatorium unless accompanied by a member. Baxley noted that residents holding 10-visit passes, Silver Sneakers participants, and Silver and Fit program members will retain their access to the indoor pools. Outdoor pool access remains open to all visitors through the end of September, weather permitting.
The center has 7,009 primary members, exceeding expectations of 2,500 memberships for this time. Including spouses and children, more than 13,000 individuals currently have access to the facility. Baxley said the increased membership played a role in the facility’s decision to adjust access policies for day pass holders.
“We were expecting 2,500 members by this time. We’re at over seven thousand,” Baxley said. “So usage is just a lot higher than what we even anticipated.”
The department has been actively recruiting lifeguards from area high schools and prioritizing applicants who are available for daytime shifts. Baxley acknowledged the challenge of filling part-time positions, especially for teenage employees who face legal work restrictions during the school year. For future summers, the department is considering adding full-time lifeguard positions to avoid similar issues.
Refunds are available to members with specific needs the center can no longer meet, such as medical use of the facility or relocation farther than 45 minutes away. Members seeking refunds are instructed to email Baxley or the Parks and Recreation Department directly rather than going through the front desk.
Baxley acknowledged concerns from families whose schedules may not align with the changes, such as homeschool families and those with four-day school calendars. He said the department is exploring options to address these needs.
The outdoor pools, which typically close after Labor Day, will remain open through September, provided the weather allows. Unlike prior years, the city does not plan to drain the outdoor pools during the winter to avoid the high costs of refilling them, Baxley said.
“We’re doing everything we can to adapt to the situation and meet the needs of the community,” Baxley emphasized, adding that hiring decisions and adjustments to pool hours will continue as new staff members are brought on board.