It was the last weekend before the start of the school year, a heat advisory was in effect and there was barely a cloud in the sky.
Under normal circumstances, this would have been the perfect day to cool down in the Olympic-size swimming pool at Founders Park in Islamorada. But on this Sunday, the Ron Levy Aquatic Center was closed, not for maintenance, but due to a lifeguard shortage. The pool will remain closed on Sundays until further notice.
“We never like to cut off services here,” said Maria Bagiotti, the director of Founders Park. Bagiotti has worked at the park for more than two decades and could only vaguely recall one other time when the pool was forced to close due to a lack of staffing.
“We haven’t had to do this in many years,” she added.
Currently two full-time lifeguard positions and some part-time positions need to be filled at Founders Park.
“When we have to close something like that, it’s clear that we’re moving into a space where we have to think about staffing in our government in a more creative way,” said Islamorada Councilwoman Elizabeth Jolin. Jolin was disappointed to learn of the Sunday closure. The pool, she said, is a fabulous public resource that also brings in revenue to the village.
Jolin believes many options should be explored to solve the staffing problem, including possibly raising the pay scale and cross-training other village employees to work as lifeguards.
Founders Park is offering a lifeguard certification class in September and cross-training employees is on the table.
“We’re trying to get a list of our part-time employees right now who are interested in the class,” said Bagiotti.
The lack of lifeguards is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what is quickly becoming a workforce shortage crisis in the Keys. Just ask Judy Hull, executive director of the Islamorada Chamber of Commerce.
“I would say it’s impossible to find people right now,” said Hull, who has also struggled to keep her office adequately staffed.
“You put ads out and you don’t get calls, you don’t get applications, you don’t get nibbles,” she added.
The workforce problem is a complicated one, exacerbated by a lack of affordable housing and child care, a lack of reliable transportation to and from the mainland and a post-pandemic exodus of workers who cashed out their properties when home values skyrocketed.
To solve the problem, Hull said, will take some really good minds thinking outside the box.
“We need relief; whatever that looks like, we need to find it,” said Hull.
As for the lifeguard shortage, Bagiotti is hoping to be fully staffed by the end of September, if not sooner. Until then, the pool will remain closed on Sundays. Bagiotti said the decision to close on Sunday versus any other day of the week was made because staff did not want to disrupt pool programs that cater to residents Monday through Saturday.
Founders Park is actively advertising the lifeguard positions in local newspapers and via social media. Those interested in applying can call 305-853-1685 or apply online at www.islamorada.fl.us/249/Founders-Park.
