Richardson hires enough lifeguards to partially open Heights Family Aquatic Center for remainder of summer

The city of Richardson announced July 6 that it plans to allow for the Heights Family Aquatic Center to open on weekends for the remainder of the summer.

The water park is targeted to be open Friday-Sunday from July 15-Aug. 14, or as long as staffing levels can be maintained. The center will also be open July 9-10. Weekend use of the center will be from 1-8 p.m.

Seasonal passes purchased for neighborhood pools will be accepted for entrance to the center.

The city announced in June that it planned to close the center for the summer due to a shortage of lifeguards. However, city officials said in a July 6 release that 25 new lifeguards had been hired to allow for either a full or partial opening.

No rental opportunities will be allowed at the center facility because of the limited staffing opportunities, the release stated.

The city has been in efforts to recruit new lifeguards since April, offering increased pay scales and incentives for new hires.

According to an April 22 release, staff from the Richardson Parks and Recreation Department estimated it had 20 of 80 positions filled for the total lifeguards needed to open its public pools and the aquatics center.

The city opened its four neighborhood pools for the summer on modified schedules in May. The neighborhood pools at Canyon Creek, Cottonwood, Glenville and Terrace will be open six days a week until at least Aug. 14.

Richardson also modified its pool hours during the summer of 2021 to four days a week.

Online reservations for pool rentals and swim class registration are now open. Applications are available online at www.cor.net/parksonline or by calling 972-744-7892.

The daily entrance fee for center is $4 for residents and $8 for nonresidents.

Entry to neighborhood pools is $2 for residents and $4 for nonresidents with children age 3 and under free.

Season passes to all four neighborhood pools are available for $30 per resident, or $100 per family. Nonresident neighborhood pool passes are available for $40. No family passes are available for nonresidents. To learn more about working for the city as a lifeguard, visit www.cor.net/jobs.