Columbia hires additional lifeguards, still dealing with staffing shortages Published
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The City of Columbia has hired a few more lifeguards, but is still searching for more.
Director of Columbia Parks and Recreation Mike Griggs said the department was able to hire an additional three lifeguards after a class with 12 candidates. This brings the total number of lifeguards in Columbia to 49.
According to a press release, the department is hopeful that the staff shortage will reverse and allow Douglass and Lake of the Woods Pool to open for the summer. The department said it needs a minimum of 70 guards.
Jefferson City pools ready for holiday weekend, Columbia struggles with staffing
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Jefferson City Parks and Recreation department is preparing to open pools for Memorial Day Weekend.
Assistant Director of Programs with JC Parks Aaron Grefrath said the group is looking forward to getting back open to the public and are hopeful they can do so under normal operating procedures.
Grefrath said the department has seen day camp and summer sport numbers back to where they were pre-pandemic, if not higher. The assistant director says he s hoping this also translates to how many people visit the pool this summer.
Riverside Park Amphitheater finished construction this week, and organizers are ready to get people inside. Major King
A slew of tours and schedules being canceled or postponed looks to be in the rear-view mirror with the completion of the Riverside Park Amphitheater in Jefferson City. With everything we ve been through, I don t think the timing could be more right, Todd Spalding, Director of Jefferson City Parks, said.
Spalding said the craze within the Jefferson City community and beyond to get back to live events is evident. People want to get back out, they want to see people, they want to listen to live music, Spalding said. The community really wants this.
The amphitheater s first concert, with country singers Clay Walker and Tracy Lawrence, is already sold out.
Lynn Cannon, Venuworks Executive Director of Riverside Park Amphitheater, said people are itching to get back to concerts after the pandemic. People are showing that by the amount of sales, not just at our venue, but at venues all across the country. The excitement is building, and I think we re all ready for it, Cannon said.
The total cost of the amphitheater comes to $3.1 million, according to Todd Spalding, Director of Jefferson City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department.Â
Spalding said the department renovated the amphitheater expecting that it could benefit the local economy.