Alec Malichky, 16, of Cranberry, is in his second year of being a lifeguard at Cranberry Township Community Waterpark.

If residents of Seven Fields are hoping to spend their summer free time at Town Park Pool, they may have to change their plans. The pool's well of staff has dried up — it has only seven lifeguards this year, a major drop from typical numbers, with only a few available to work full time.

The dilemma is part of a larger shortage as public pools across Butler County and the region face a dearth of lifeguards, along with a lackluster and stormy few weeks to begin the season.

“We've been aggressive in recruiting — we've contacted the local schools and colleges and put out ads on Indeed — I, honest to God, don't know what to attribute (the shortage) to,” said Tom Smith, borough manager.

Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau president Jack Cohen pointed out that the shortage isn't just a problem in Butler County. Only eight of Pittsburgh's 18 public pools were able to open this season due to a lack of lifeguards.

“It's a problem around the region,” Cohen said. “This could be a part of the ugly end of COVID, but hopefully, maybe now that kids are back to learning and know they can make some extra money, maybe it will go away on its own. Right now, we have to look at different ways to attract new lifeguards.”

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