Hughes praises lifeguards at the aquatic center
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, July 7th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – The pools have reopened, and summer weather is a reality. Pendleton Parks and Recreation Director Liam Hughes said he’s grateful for the staff of lifeguards working at the Pendleton Aquatic Center.
“Our lifeguards go in the water more than anywhere else I’ve ever seen,” he said. “They do a fantastic job. They’re proactive. They get to the kids before they get in trouble.”
Because of the hands-on way they work, Hughes said it’s vital that there are enough guards on duty to handle the number of people in the pool.
“We have to make sure we staff at very high levels at the aquatic center,” Hughes said. “We want to make sure that those lifeguards can manage the amount of kids that they have to watch.”
Hughes said that his department is also scheduling additional classes of swimming lessons for beginners, since as soon as a child is old enough to walk, he or she is also old enough to fall into a pool.
