Allen on city lifeguard openings: 'We're not going to stop that until we're fully staffed'

People will soon visit swimming pools to beat the heat, but the City of Houston's Parks and Recreation Department is grappling with a staff shortage, according to a report from Houston ABC affiliate KTRK. 

However, Kenneth Allen, who helms the department, isn't discouraged from meeting the required quota of 188 though there are presently 30 workers on the payroll. The station reported that Houston's 37 community swimming pools are slated to open to the public on May 28 during Memorial Day weekend.

Last summer, just 10 pools in the city were opened because there weren't enough workers to staff them, KTRK reported.

Should the numbers not change for the better this year, according to the station, certain pools may be opened while others will be shuttered.

"We'll have to figure all that out as we decide what our staffing capacity will ultimately be," Allen told KTRK.

According to the station, the city is offering a $300 incentive in an effort to fill more lifeguard job openings.

Allen told KTRK that the department used to enjoy a 50% return rate until the COVID-19 pandemic occurred, adding most of the usual staff hasn't returned in the past two years.

The monetary incentive will consist of a $150 payment at the beginning of the season and an additional $150 at the end.

Allen divulged to the station that his department will continue its search for aquatic staffers even after the pools open.

"We'll continue this recruiting process even past the 28," the director said, per KTRK. "We're not going to stop that until we're fully staffed."

Interested individuals can apply at the city's website, the station reported.