Alpine Aqualand to close weekends
Queenstown's main swimming pool Alpine Aqualand is closing weekends from 18 February due to a shortage of lifeguards.
Queenstown Lakes District Council, which runs the Events Centre facility, is looking for more than 10 lifeguards. They need both full-time and part-time lifeguards for Alpine Aqualand and Wānaka Recreation Centre (WRC).
But while WRC will remain open, Alpine Aqualand will close on weekends until positions are filled.
QLDC Community Services General Manager Kenneth Bailey said the weekend closure is a last resort.
"Clearly we don’t want to close an important community facility when people expect us to be open. This decision will be reviewed weekly as we work to recruit lifeguards. Once the roster is back to normal levels we’ll open the pool on weekends again.
"First and foremost, we want to minimise any disruption for all regular and casual pool users."
The lifeguard shortage has been exacerbated by high school and university students completing holiday jobs and returning to their studies combined with the difficulty of sponsoring overseas workers.
"Staff shortages are a nation-wide challenge and QLDC isn’t immune to that. We’re currently experiencing a shortage of lifeguard applicants and are encouraging anyone looking for work in a great environment who can swim 200 metres in six minutes to apply!
"There are some incredible benefits to being employed as a lifeguard. You’re providing a valuable community service as well as gaining nationally recognised qualifications, free gym membership and a commitment from QLDC to your ongoing development,” he said.
It also means Arrowtown Memorial Pool (AMP) will close for the season a few weeks earlier than expected on 13 February. Members of this pool can use their pass to access Alpine Aqualand or WRC’s pools until AMP’s originally scheduled last day of Sunday 5 March.
The recruitment effort is ongoing and all prospective lifeguards should head to https://qldc.qjumpersjobs.co/ to find more information and details of how to apply.
