Lifeguard Shortage Causing Reduced Hours For Loudoun County Pools

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — The Claude Moore pools will have reduced hours starting on Wednesday due to a lack of lifeguards, Loudoun County officials said in a news release.

Other county pools have not been impacted yet. However, county officials noted that the lack of lifeguards could impact the operating hours of other pools in the future.

"A shortage of lifeguards is impacting operations at the Claude Moore Recreation and Community Center pools and may impact hours at the other aquatic facilities operated by the Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services," Loudoun County officials said in a news release. "The lifeguard shortage is further exacerbated by the reduced availability of lifeguards who have left employment or reduced their hours to return to school."

The Claude Moore pools will have reduced hours at least through Labor Day. Here are the updated hours for the Claude Moore pools through Labor Day:

• Competition Pool
  • Wednesday: 5:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.; 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.
  • Thursday: 5:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.; 3:00 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.
  • Friday: 5:00 a.m. - 9:15 p.m.
  • Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  • Sunday: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  • Monday: 1:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.
• Leisure Pool
  • Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.; 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.; 5:00 - 8:45 p.m.
  • Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.; 5:00 - 8:45 p.m.
  • Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday: 11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
  • Sunday: 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
  • Monday: 11:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.

Future adjustments to pool hours will be posted online.

In the news release, officials said that there are enough lifeguards at the Dulles South Recreation and Community Center, Franklin Park, Lovettsville Community Center and the Round Hill Indoor Aquatic Center, for now.

"However, residents should be aware that staffing issues could impact these facilities unexpectedly and they are encouraged to check loudoun.gov/poolhours for any schedule adjustments," the news release said. "Loudoun County is working to identify immediate solutions to help residents better predict current pool hours, as well as to develop more sustainable staffing plans that ensure consistent operations at the county’s aquatic facilities in the future."

Read more: Lifeguard Shortages Affect One-Third Of Public Swimming Pools In The U.S.

Throughout the country, about a third of the country's pools didn't open or had reduced hours this summer due to a lack of lifeguards, American Lifeguard Association Director Bernard J. Fisher II told Newsweek in the spring.

Several factors contributed to the lifeguard shortage this summer, including fewer training opportunities due to the pandemic and a change in immigration policy.

Many areas throughout the country relied on Europeans with J-1 visas that allowed them to work in the United States. Former President Donald Trump suspended J-1 and other temporary visas in April 2020. At the time, he said the change was to protect American jobs during a period of soaring unemployment.

Though the ban on temporary visas expired under President Joe Biden, pools throughout the country are still coping with a lack of lifeguards. Fisher told NPR that the shortage could continue through the end of the year.

More information about Loudoun County's pools and their schedules is available online.