PARD opens more pools for the Fourth

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department is working hard to solve its lifeguard shortage in an effort to staff all of the city’s swimming pools. The current number of lifeguards trained and ready to work stands at 551 – enough to open new pools for the July 4 weekend. Martin Pool at 1626 Nash Hernandez Sr. Road and Dottie Jordan Pool at 2803 Loyola Lane both reopen Sunday, July 3. Ramsey Pool at 4201 Burnet Road and Mabel Davis Pool at 3427 Parker Lane will open July 10. And Deep Eddy Pool is bumping its normal monthly closure from Tuesday, July 5, to Tuesday, July 12, in order to accommodate the holiday crowds. Deep Eddy will be open on July 5 from 8 a.m. to noon for lap swim and noon to 8 p.m. for recreational swimming. The city continues to hire lifeguards at $16-$19/hour depending on experience and certifications. Need a summer job? Bonuses, paid sick leave, a free bus pass and flexible scheduling are all part of the package.