Two pools to close for maintenance, city looking to hire lifeguards for swim season at Feb. 26 event

Two pools will be closed in February for routine maintenance, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department Aquatic Division announced Feb. 13.

The two pools that will be closed during February are Springwoods Pool, which will be closed from Feb. 21-22, and Barton Springs Pool, which will be closed from Feb. 25-March 10. Other year-round pools, including Bartholomew, 1800 E. 51st St., Austin; Big Stacy, 700 E. Live Oak St., Austin; and Deep Eddy, 401 Deep Eddy Ave., Austin, will continue normal operations during February.

In total, the city operates 45 public aquatic facilities including seven regional pools, three community pools, 22 neighborhood pools, one wading pool, Barton Springs pool and 11 splash pads.

The city is also looking to hire hundreds of lifeguards in February, officials said. The job starts at $20 per hour, and those accepted for the position will be trained for free, officials said. Interested candidates should be at least 15 years old and have a photo ID and a Social Security card. A mass hiring event will take place at Fiesta Gardens, 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St., Austin, on Feb. 26 from 5-8 p.m.

"Lifeguard training takes place all year, but most seasonal lifeguards in Austin get trained during spring break," officials said. "Everyone must complete the job application and their hiring paperwork before they can register for training."

Officials said the training will be available for first-time lifeguards, returning lifeguards that need recertification and lifeguards who are interested in becoming an instructor.

For more information, call 512-974-9330, email [email protected] or visit austintexas.gov.