Letters - A swimming response

Details

Published on Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Submitted

Neepawa Banner & Press

In response to concerns raised in the greater community, and a letter to the editor entitled “Treading Water”, (Neepawa Banner & Press June 8 edition) The Town of Neepawa finds it necessary to communicate the following information in order to facilitate a greater understanding of the operations of a swimming pool.

This information will hopefully provide the rationale of why the public may observe changes to services offered at the pool…and of course why the Town is not physically able to host the school swimming programs this year.

Each and every operator of a public swimming pool is required to comply with Provincial Regulation 132/97 of The Public Health Act, which amongst other things, sets out minimum requirements for lifeguards, assistant lifeguards and lifesaving stations.

Where fewer than 31 bathers (swimmers) are present, a minimum of two (2) persons are on duty at all times the pool is open, including one Qualified Lifeguard on deck and one other person on deck or in the immediate vicinity of the pool who is at least 16 years of age; holds a current CPR Level C certificate and First Aid; and is knowledgeable about the pool’s emergency procedures and instructions. Of course, increases in the number of bathers beyond 31 requires additional qualified staff as provided for in Schedule C of Regulation 132/97.

Further to the above noted minimum staffing requirements, consideration also needs to be given to securing additional pool staff who are qualified to teach the lessons. This is then measured in relation to the number of classes either consecutively or simultaneously. The duties of the staff person teaching the lessons focus on the class in session and cannot be counted as meeting the requirement of a Qualified Lifeguard on deck who is to continually observe the pool area.

Advertisements for pool staff went out early in 2018 with a minimal number of applicants. The majority of those hired are high school students who as we speak are ensuring that their required training is in place. Insofar as the number of pool staff physically working in June, 2018, there is only one (1) who is a very capable and qualified returning university student. However, as previously referenced, the Town of Neepawa is unable to meet the minimum staffing requirements, which unfortunately equates to the inability to host programs. This decision was not taken lightly and every attempt was made to recruit sufficient qualified pool staff. The Town of Neepawa apologizes for the impact that this decision has had on the community, but would argue that the decision did in fact take into account the price of a life and safety for same. Hosting the school programs and operating a pool in non-compliance with The Public Health Act is simply irresponsible.

Lastly for comparatives, minimum wage in Manitoba is $11.15. Established pay ranges for staff at the Town of Neepawa Swimming Pool are as follows:

• Cashiers or assistant lifeguards          $12.99 - $13.81

• Lifeguards/Instructors                      $13.85 - $15.45

• Lifeguards/Instructor Trainers         $16.72 –$18.30

Any adjustments through the pay ranges is based on hours of accumulation from year to year.

The Town of Neepawa encourages and welcomes any qualified individuals interested in working at the pool to contact our office.

Town of Neepawa