Tuolumne County Pools Opening Despite Lack Of Lifeguards

Sonora, CA — For those ready to splash into summer, two of the four pools will open today, Friday, with two others following on Monday, June 13.

Despite a shortage of lifeguards, as earlier reported here, Tuolumne County’s Sonora and Twain Harte pools will open today with Columbia and Tuolumne City commencing on Monday. “We’re doing the best with the staff we have available and provide services on a modified basis,” maintained County Administrator Craig Pedro. Acknowledging the staffing shortage he adds, “We are going to have to do some rotating of some things, focusing our swim lessons at the Sonora and Twain Harte pools exclusively…alternating recreation swims at the different days.”

The county provided this schedule:

Friday, June 10, the following services will be available:

Sonora Pool:

• 12:00 p.m. (noon) to 1:00 p.m.:   Lap Swim
• 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.:  Recreation Swim

Twain Harte Pool:

• 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.:  Recreation Swim
• 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.:  Family Night

Columbia & Tuolumne Pools: Closed

*All pools will be closed over the weekend (Saturday and Sunday, June 11 and 12)

Starting June 13, a rotating schedule of services for all pools will begin:

Swim lessons only at the Sonora and Twain Harte pools. Recreation Swim will be rotated as follows:

• Sonora and Twain Harte:  Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons
• Columbia and Tuolumne:  Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons

Pedro expects this schedule to change about every two weeks until all the needed lifeguards are Red Cross Certified and hired with changes being posted on the county’s website. The county is paying the more than $150 dollar fee for the lifeguard classes. However, Pedro notes that not all those who take the county up on its offer will end up working at the pools since individuals can take jobs with other facilities such as campgrounds and lakes in the area. Pay depends on the positions with a lifeguards’ hourly rate ranging from $13.59 to $16.60 depending on experience.  Pedro adds that several older adults have questioned whether they could apply believing it is considered a job for teenagers, but to that Pedro clarified, “Absolutely anyone who is interested should apply. We welcome them to apply.”

Click here for the current weekly schedule.