Austin residents, it's time to dive into your wallets – city swimming pool season passes are officially up for grabs starting Monday, February 12. Don't wait too long to snag your swim passes if you're planning to make a splash at your local pools this season, as City pools will start to charge for entry come Saturday, March 9. According to an announcement from the City of Austin, your pass comes with a bonus perk – a parking pass that'll be required once paid parking at Zilker Park and Barton Springs Pool kicks in on Friday, March 1, lasting through the summer until Labor Day.
Swimmers, however, will have to float around some logistics as the north side of Barton Springs Pool's parking will be off-limits starting Thursday, February 15. This will carry on through to spring 2025, thanks to the Barton Springs Bathhouse Rehabilitation project. Finding your parking spot might just get a tad bit harder with William Barton Drive restricted exclusively to emergency, construction, and vehicles needing accessible parking.
Meanwhile, if you're a fan of Barton Springs Pool, you'll have to put your swimming plans on pause. The beloved pool will be closed from Saturday, February 24 through Friday, March 8 for routine maintenance. The city has helped by providing information on alternative pool hours and locations via their website at AustinTexas.gov/Pools, to ensure residents can continue their aquatic activities uninterrupted during this period.
On another note, if you happen to be hunting for a summer job, the city's on the lookout for roughly 611 more lifeguards to hit the targeted number of 850 needed to run the pools smoothly in the coming months. As stated on the City's website, the current 239 guards on staff need reinforcement, and with a tempting $20.80 per hour offered for entry-level positions, positions are expected to be filled quickly. For folks interested in donning the red and white, contact the Aquatics Office or visit LifeguardAustin.com for more details on the job and how to get trained.
And speaking of training, the city doesn't just hang you out to dry. Lifeguard training is offered year-round, and winter sessions mean more intimate class sizes in heated pools. A reminder to applicants – you must complete the application and hiring paperwork before registering. The City of Austin encourages potential lifeguards to act soon and check the 2024 Lifeguard Certification Schedule and Lifeguard Renewal Class Dates. Experienced lifeguards have the opportunity to earn even more, plus free training and a free uniform are part of the deal, and starting at the age of 15, there’s no age bar to try and save lives while you earn.
