Due to an influx of summer lifeguard applicants, the Richardson Parks and Recreation Department has reached staffing levels to allow for a partial opening of the Heights Family Aquatics Center (HFAC) this summer. The water park is targeted to be open on weekends only from Saturday, July 9 through Sunday, Aug. 14; or as long as staffing levels can be maintained to operate the Center and the four neighborhood pools also run by the department. The partial opening also includes Fridays beginning July 15. Seasonal passes purchased for neighborhood pools will be accepted for entrance to the HFAC.
Last month a decision was made to keep the HFAC closed due to a shortage of available seasonal positions that needed to be filled to allow it to operate safely. Efforts were maintained to continue to try to attract enough applicants to allow for either a full or partial opening. The recent addition of 25 new lifeguards, in conjunction with lifeguards already on staff, is allowing for limited operations. Limited staffing also means there will be no rental opportunities for the Heights Family Aquatic Family Center facility.
Steps Taken to Attract Lifeguards
The Parks and Recreation Department has taken unprecedented steps this year to be as competitive as possible to attract the limited number of qualified people able to fill the seasonal lifeguard positions. Efforts included making the application process and access to lifeguard training as easy as possible. Hourly wages were also increased from $10 to a maximum of $15 along with the addition of bonuses for referrals and offering of flexible work schedules. Despite these steps, enough staff has not been made available to fully open all facilities according to their normal summer schedule. The shortage of lifeguards is a regional and national issue with various explanations on the cause.
Pool Schedule and Costs
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | |
| Heights Family Aquatic Center (Weekends only July 9 – Aug. 14) | 1-8 p.m. | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 1-8 p.m. July 15, 22, 29 Aug. 5, 12 | 1-8 p.m. |
| Canyon Creek (closes Aug. 28., weekends only starting Aug. 15.) | 1-8 p.m. | Closed | 1-8 p.m. | 1-8 p.m. | 1-8 p.m. | 1-8 p.m. | 1-8 p.m. |
| Cottonwood (closes Aug. 14) | 1-8 p.m. | 1-6 p.m. | 1-6 p.m. | Closed | 1-6 p.m. | 1-6 p.m. | 1-8 p.m. |
| Glenville (closes Aug. 14) | 1-8 p.m. | 1-8 p.m. | Closed | 1-8 p.m. | 1-8 p.m. | 1-8 p.m. | 1-8 p.m. |
| Terrace (closes Aug. 28., weekends only starting Aug. 15.) | 1-8 p.m. | 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Closed | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | 1-8 p.m. |
- Daily entrance fee for Heights Family Aquatic 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.
Pool Rentals/Swim Registration
Online reservations for neighborhood pool rentals and swim class registration are open. Applications are available online at www.cor.net/parksonline or by calling 972-744-7892.
Aquatics Program Website: www.cor.net/aquatics
