Midwest City’s Reno Swim & Slide could sit quiet for much of the 2026 summer if the city cannot bring on dozens of certified lifeguards in a hurry. The park says it needs roughly two dozen more guards to avoid major cuts to operations or a full shutdown. With the pool scheduled to open next Saturday (May 23), city officials are racing to fill a certification class this weekend that reportedly still has more than 20 open seats.
Officials Warn Staffing Shortfall Could Force Cuts
Reno Swim & Slide officials describe a “desperate need” for lifeguards and say that without at least two dozen additional certified staffers, they may have to scale back hours or skip opening altogether this summer, according to OKCFOX. Midwest City Recreation Director Josh Ryan told the station, “This year has been a completely different type of challenge with a season that is starting early.”
City officials point to stiff competition from other employers and the upfront cost of certification as key reasons lifeguard applications are lagging, making it tough to staff up in time.
City Posting Jobs and Running Certification
The City of Midwest City has posted seasonal lifeguard openings and is asking applicants to turn in a completed packet in person at City Hall, according to the city’s job notice. The posting lists pay at about $15.03 an hour for head guards and roughly $12.35 an hour for lifeguards, and it directs candidates to pick up application packets at 100 N. Midwest Blvd., per the City of Midwest City announcement. The notice also makes clear that applications will not be accepted online and that positions are seasonal.
Part of a Wider, National Shortage
Officials around the country are reporting similar headaches as communities try to rebuild their lifeguard ranks after pandemic-era disruptions. Many pools and beaches cut hours or stayed closed last year because of staffing shortfalls, and about a third of the country’s roughly 309,000 public pools were affected, The Washington Post reported. Coverage from Wisconsin Public Radio traced the ongoing shortage back to COVID-era interruptions in training and certification.
Municipalities have tried dangling incentives, subsidizing training and bumping pay to bring in recruits, but the problem has not gone away.
How to Apply and What the City Is Offering
Midwest City is running a lifeguard certification class this weekend aimed at lowering the cost hurdle and getting new hires on the schedule quickly, according to reporting and the city’s hiring notices. The municipality’s previous recruitment drives capped training slots and required applicants to pass testing and a drug screen, as noted in earlier coverage such as free lifeguard training. Applicants are instructed to pick up an application packet at City Hall and bring the required documents in person to be considered.
What Happens Next
The city still plans to open Reno Swim & Slide next Saturday, but officials say that timeline will depend on how successful their last-minute recruiting push is, according to OKCFOX. If hiring falls short, residents should brace for reduced hours, limited programming or a delayed opening as the parks department shuffles staff between facilities.
