Summer pool problem: No hands on deck
Plus: New Charlotte-themed Ledger crossword; And the news of the week (dominated by David Tepper): Panthers real estate arm files bankruptcy, Charlotte FC fires coach, Hornets strike deal with city
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Lifeguard shortage means it’s a ‘swim-at-your-own-risk’ summer at some community pools; hours cut, bathroom-cleaning duties ditched
The Stone Creek Ranch neighborhood in south Charlotte has enacted a swim-at-your-own-risk policy this summer because of a lack of lifeguards.
by Cristina Bolling
Neighborhood pools are the recreational hubs for summer fun in communities across Charlotte, but this year, a shortage of lifeguards has many homeowners association leaders enacting a pool policy they’ve never had before: swim at your own risk.
It’s a problem that experts say has been a few years in the making, as the lifeguard pipeline weakened during the pandemic, an overall labor shortage means more job options for teens, and Covid caused the stoppage of visas for lifeguards from overseas who previously came to guard Charlotte pools.
Put all that together, and you’ve got an unprecedented problem for neighborhoods like Stone Creek Ranch near Waverly in south Charlotte — a dynamic community filled with young families and a 100-member swim team, which is asking residents to guard themselves after the lifeguard supply seemed to have dried up.
“They just couldn’t find any lifeguards,” said one Stone Creek Ranch mom as she walked her dogs one evening this week. She said she’s worried about what could happen if kids come up to the pool alone, or even if their parents turn their attention away for a few minutes.
Lifeguarding pods: Many neighborhoods contract with large pool staffing companies for lifeguard coverage, and several lifeguards the Ledger talked to who work for staffing companies said they’re being grouped into “pod” systems, meaning they’ll cycle through several pools this summer as the most pressing needs arise, instead of just being assigned to one neighborhood.
In many cases, neighborhoods that previously had 7-day-a-week lifeguard coverage are now staffing lifeguards only on weekends, or are limiting lifeguard hours to late afternoons and early evenings.
And then there are ones that are going without lifeguards altogether.
The Ledger posted a query this week in a Facebook group for local moms, and heard from residents of communities with pools that are normally guarded and are now swim-at-your-own-risk. They included Skybrook North in Huntersville, Lawson in Waxhaw, Catawba Hills in Gastonia and the Northwoods neighborhood in northwest Charlotte.
It’s a problem that’s getting national attention, with a leader of the American Lifeguard Association telling CNN that this year’s lifeguard shortage is “the worst I’ve ever seen.”
Recruitment sweeteners: Pool management companies and swim clubs are paddling out new incentives to get more lifeguards in chairs. Some are recruiting at area high schools and are offering gift cards for teens who apply. Others are hiring guards with the promise that they won’t have to clean bathrooms — eliminating one of the less-desirable parts of the lifeguard job.
Still, there are roadblocks to entry. Lifeguarding requires a 28-hour certification class that costs around $300 (although some employers waive the fee), and in many cases guards need to buy their own swimsuit uniforms, which can cost upwards of $100.
The shortage didn’t happen overnight, said Brian Coffey, owner and founder of Charlotte Safety Training — and it won’t end overnight, either.
“I think these kids feel under-appreciated. I don’t think there’s a shortage of kids who want to be lifeguards. I think the model has to change,” said Coffey. He founded his company in 2006 and it has grown to be one of the East Coast’s largest companies offering American Red Cross certified training for lifeguards, lifeguard trainers and others, he said.
The typical lifeguard has skills that would make them highly desirable for lots of types of roles, Coffey said, so pools need to compete to recruit and retain them.
“When you deal with a year-round competitive swimmer, they’re smart, they’re educated and they’re reliable. They’re raising the bar for their employers,” he said.
Expired certifications, overseas staffing halted: Adding to the conundrum is the fact that many people who certify lifeguards at places like recreational centers had their certifications expire during Covid, “so everyone is having to play catch up,” Coffey said. “It’s more far-reaching than the kids.”
Coffey said that pre-pandemic, Charlotte pools employed a fair number of youth from overseas who would come in on visas to staff pools during the summer. That pipeline stopped during Covid and hasn’t returned, he said.
But he’s confident that lifeguard stock will be replenished in time. Teens and their parents realize that the job is a valuable leadership opportunity, and one that teens take pride in.
“It will take time, but it will reset,” he said. “I’m proud of all these kids that do it. They need a big fat thank you.”
Cristina Bolling is managing editor of The Ledger: cristina@cltledger.com
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Today’s Charlotte-themed crossword: ‘Dash Board’
Our weekly crossword is back. Do you know 5 Across, “Bread at the Mad Greek of Charlotte” (four letters)? Or 26 Down, “NC singer and multiple-time Congressional candidate Clay” (five letters)?
OK maybe those are easy, but can you do the whole thing?
Heading out of town? Why not print off a few from our dedicated Charlotte Ledger Crossword page?
Ledger crosswords are created by Chris King, edited by Tim Whitmire and presented by CXN Advisory. Enjoy!
.PDF (suitable for download and printing):
.PUZ (suitable for use on tablets and computers with Across Lite app):
This week in Charlotte: Tepper’s Rock Hill development company files for bankruptcy; City strikes deal with Hornets; Charlotte FC fires its coach; Marijuana, Medicaid bills move forward
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Politics
Deal with Charlotte Hornets: (Ledger) The city of Charlotte and the Charlotte Hornets reached a tentative deal for the city to spend $275M to renovate the Spectrum Center and add a practice facility on the site of the Charlotte Transportation Center. The Ledger on Friday examined (🔒) what that might mean for funding Discovery Place and other projects. The City Council still must approve the agreement.
Bills advance: The N.C. Senate passed bipartisan bills legalizing medical marijuana and expanding Medicaid, but their future is uncertain in the N.C. House.
Business
Tepper real estate arm in bankruptcy: The real estate company controlled by Tepper Sports & Entertainment that was developing the Panthers’ Rock Hill headquarters filed for bankruptcy protection, a financial move that provides an orderly way for creditors to be paid. In subsequent filings that detailed finances (🔒), the company said it lacks the resources to pay all its debts and doesn’t believe it needs to repay York County $21M. The Charlotte Observer examined other possible sites for a Panthers headquarters, and the Business Journal says leadership experts give owner David Tepper low marks.
New king of beers: (Ledger 🔒) Sycamore Brewing surpassed Olde Mecklenburg Brewery as Charlotte’s largest independent brewery last year, according to figures released last month. Sycamore, with its strength in marketing and distribution, made nearly 28,000 barrels of beer, more than OMB’s 21,500. We shared the production numbers of more than two dozen other Mecklenburg County breweries.
Plaza-Midwood tower planned: (Observer) Developer Levine Properties filed a rezoning application to build a 12-story apartment tower with ground-floor retail on a 1-acre site at the corner of The Plaza and Commonwealth Avenue in Plaza-Midwood. Plans call for 175 apartments and 12,000 s.f. of retail space.
Local news
Stinky lawsuit in court: (WCNC) Lawyers for the New-Indy Containerboard paper plant in Catawba, S.C., that’s accused of emitting horrible smells and toxins into the air asked a judge Wednesday to dismiss a class action lawsuit filed by residents who argue the smell is hurting their health and livelihoods.
Whitewater Center adding locations: (WBTV) Charlotte’s U.S. National Whitewater Center said it is expanding to three other locations: Whitewater Pisgah, in Mills River, south of Asheville; Whitewater Santee, in Huger, S.C., north of Charleston; and Whitewater Grayson, in southwest Virginia.
Sports
Charlotte FC coach fired. Charlotte FC announced Tuesday that it was firing coach Miguel Angel Ramirez less than halfway through the club’s first season, in which it seems to be exceeding expectations, and officials were vague on the reason. The Athletic, citing unnamed sources, said conflicts with front-office leaders and players led to the dismissal. Reporter Carroll Walton, in The Ledger’s Fútbol Friday newsletter, observed: “The same outspokenness that endeared Ramirez to fans and media is also what fractured his relationships in private.”
From the Ledger family of newsletters
Wednesday Ledger (🔒):
Richmond’s Charlotte bank envy: Economic development officials in Richmond, Va., say in a new planning document that they want their city to “rival Charlotte within a 5-10-year time horizon to once again vie for the title of ‘banking capital of the South.’”
Streetcar skepticism: City Council members this week voiced skepticism about the planned extension of the Gold Line streetcar, since it struggles with reliability. They delayed a vote to spend $4.3M studying future extensions.
Planning vote pushed back: A vote on the city’s Unified Development Ordinance was postponed for a month, until August, as planners have suggested changes to rules on parking, trees and building heights near neighborhoods.
Friday’s Ledger (🔒):
SEC targets colorful Charlotte character: The Securities and Exchange Commission filed civil charges against Martin Sumachrast, the CEO of Charlotte-based cbdMD, who has a background with penny-stock companies and whose company has hired celebrity endorsers and cat influencers.
Customer complaint follow-up: Four of 10 companies The Ledger reported last week as leaders in customer complaints have reached out to the Better Business Bureau to improve their ratings.
Ways of Life (🔒):
Remembering ‘Jeff Pilot’: Writer Mark Washburn examines the life of Jim Huggins, who rose through the radio industry to deliver traffic conditions to Charlotte drivers under the name “Jeff Pilot.” “Jim loved to laugh and make others laugh,” a longtime friend said. He died last month at age 65.
Smaller, nimbler public transit: Charlotte plans to study smaller alternatives to buses, such as providing Uber-like services or shuttle vans summoned by smartphone.
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Contributing editor: Tim Whitmire, CXN Advisory; Contributing photographer/videographer: Kevin Young, The 5 and 2 Project