June 13, 2023 – (Lincoln, ON) – Outdoor summer aquatics are underway in Lincoln, with the Town once again offering leisure swimming opportunities in summer 2023 at Allan F. Gretsinger and Jordan Lions outdoor pools.
The two outdoor pools will offer a combination of aquatic programming and leisure swimming schedules in 2023, with some service level reductions due to staff shortages. Pools are open during the following operating season, which remains unchanged from previous years:
Allan F. Gretsinger Pool (4361 Central Avenue, Beamsville)
- Open from June 3 to Labour Day
Jordan Lions Pool (2793 Fourth Avenue, Jordan)
- Open from July 1 to Labour Day
Please note that schedules are subject to change throughout the summer season. Residents are encouraged to visit Lincoln.ca for up-to-date pool schedules.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Liliana Busnello
Manager of Corporate Communications
Town of Lincoln
Phone: 905-563-2799 ext. 230
Background
The aquatics sector has long faced issues with the recruitment and retention of qualified staff to lifeguard and deliver programming. This challenge was exacerbated during the pandemic as pool closures and other public health mandates meant that many aquatic staff were laid off or seconded to other positions and organizations were unable to host aquatic leadership training programs. As a result, since 2020, Ontario has seen unparalleled shortages in lifeguards and swimming instructors that have had an impact on service provision.
The Town of Lincoln is not immune to these shortages. As such, the Town’s modified outdoor summer aquatics schedule for 2023 reflects a balance between the ability to deliver services to the community while prioritizing the most important and impactful programs. Despite many efforts to recruit the seasonal staff required to run outdoor aquatic staff at regular capacity, it is anticipated that summer pool operations will experience service level impacts in 2023 due to aquatic staffing shortages.
Service Level Impacts to Outdoor Aquatics
In order to determine the 2023 summer operating model, the Town completed a review of previous facility usage and program data. Service level priorities were established using the following principles:
- Well-attended programs were prioritized for continued operation;
- Affordable access to community programming is available at both pools;
- Operating season length to remain unchanged from previous years at each pool including operating on statutory holidays.
- Free leisure swims will continue to be offered at a minimum of one pool during declared heat alerts.
- Obligated health and safety requirements for the public and adherence to R.R.O, 1990, Reg. 565: Public Pools
- Obligated health and safety requirements for staff as outlined in the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.
As the summer outdoor aquatics schedules may continue to change, we highly recommend that residents visit Lincoln.ca for up-to-date pool schedules before visiting either of our two outdoor pools.