North Iowa Swimming Pools Scramble to Certify Lifeguards

A number of north Iowa swimming pools are scrambling to recertify their lifeguards.

A Facebook post Friday by the St. Ansgar Aquatic Center said over 300 area lifeguards were impacted when their certifications were revoked immediately by the American Red Cross. St. Ansgar officials added that their pool should be ok, since over half of their staff were trained by the pool’s current manager, however, they may have to restrict open hours.

The Rockwell Aquatic Center said they learned Thursday of an American Red Cross case against lifeguard instructor Christina Coleman, in which an internal audit determined that the lifeguard certificates issued by Coleman were revoked and are invalid. Pool officials there say they’re working closely with the Red Cross to appropriately certify their lifeguards. Until then, the pool will remain closed, although their concession stand was open Sunday.

The Nora Springs Aquatic Center was closed Friday and Saturday due to the certification issues, but reopened Sunday and is expected to be open Monday and Tuesday for open swim only. Officials say their three managers are working tirelessly to figure out training and schedules. 

The Sheffield Swimming Pool has remained open despite the issue, but hours have been reduced. They hope to be near full staff by Tuesday.

A City of Charles City Facebook post for the Lions Field Pool Friday said they were not affected by the Red Cross certification issues, but they did have to close Saturday due to a staffing shortage. The New Hampton Swimming Pool was also closed Saturday due to staffing, but there was no reference to any lifeguard certification issues.

The Mason City Family Aquatic Center, faced with a large lifeguard shortage due to American Red Cross certification issues, is leading the push to get lifeguards across north Iowa recertified as quickly as possible.

The City of Mason City issued a statement Friday that their aquatic center was notified by the American Red Cross on Thursday that the majority of the certifications for their lifeguards were being revoked immediately. The Red Cross determined that the lifeguard instructor failed to deliver the class in accordance with all applicable Lifeguard training requirements for certification.  

Pool staff began hosting lifeguard certification courses Sunday and another round is slated for Monday. In addition to getting their own lifeguards recertified, their courses are being attended by lifeguards from at least six other north Iowa pools.

Aquatic center officials add that they will still need to get a few more lifeguards recertified after the courses of Sunday and Monday, but they are planning on a full opening on Tuesday. 

The pool has been closed since Friday. 

The interruption in pool operations comes as temperatures are expected to climb into the 90s by the middle of this week and continue at least until Saturday.