Heading into opening weekend, the Jefferson City pools are fully staffed with extended hours.
Aaron Grefrath, Jefferson City Department of Parks, Recreation and Forestry assistant director, said the department is prepared for the start of summer.
"The early release of (Jefferson City) schools helped," he said. "We employ a lot of students (as lifeguards) and so there was some concern we'd be short-staffed, but we are fully staffed."
Grefrath said he's heard other pools, such as those in Columbia, are dealing with a staffing shortage.
"We're fortunate to be fully staffed," he said.
The city operates pools at Ellis-Porter and Memorial parks. Both open this weekend for the season.
One thing that will be different this season, Grefrath said, is both pools will open earlier in the day. Previously, they operated from noon-7 p.m., but will now open at 10 a.m.
Grefrath said the pools opened at 10 a.m. last year because of COVID-19 concerns and people seemed to enjoy the extra hours.
"We decided to continue them," he said.
With the extended hours, pool attendance was still lower than normal last year because of the pandemic. However, Grefrath said, he's hopeful for this season.
"Based on the trends we're seeing with other park activities, we expect to be back on track if not greater," he said. "People are anxious to get back out to normal activities and swimming is a big one for people, especially kids and young adults."
Grefrath said the Memorial Park pool normally closes earlier in the season because of staffing with students returning to school and college. It will close Aug. 15 this year, and the Ellis-Porter park pool will close Sept. 6.
Admission is $5.50 for youths (17 and younger) and $6.50 for adults. Season passes are $80 for youths and $95 for adults, or $190 for a family up to four people.
Grefrath said there's nothing special planned for opening weekend.
"Just hopefully we have good weather for it," he said.