Image Credit: Curtis Goodrum / CFJC Today

By Curtis Goodrum

STAFFING SHORTAGES

City of Kamloops working to resolve daytime staffing struggles at Westsyde Pool

Sep 11, 2025 | 4:52 PM

KAMLOOPS – A national shortage of lifeguards has found its way to the City of Kamloops, which is dealing with staffing shortages during the daytime hours.

This shortage has resulted in the Westsyde Pool and Fitness Centre not being open until 3:00 p.m. on weekdays due to issues around staffing at the Tournament Capital Centre.

“Right now, we are having a shortage of lifeguards; it’s a nationwide issue. Since COVID, we’ve seen a 30-to-40 per cent decline in lifeguard applications across the country. We are having a challenge here in Kamloops with recruiting new lifeguards, particularly during the daytime,” said Sherri Holmes, sport recreation and wellness manager at the City of Kamloops.

The Westsyde facility usually has two lifeguards working regularly, starting at 6:00 a.m. However, given the staffing shortages, the facility is only open between 3:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on weekdays.

CFJC-TV

Kamloops born-and-raised Dylana Kneeshaw to succeed Bill O'Donovan as CFJC-TV lead anchor

12h ago

TWO & OUT

PETERS: Boyle's supportive housing move is data-driven decision-making gone wrong

17h ago

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: December 11, 2025

Dec 11, 2025

“Without those lifeguard staff being available to work at Westsyde, we aren’t able to keep the facility open for other activities because we don’t have that first aid service there on-site at this time,” said Holmes.

By mid-November, the city expects to have more information on how close it is to returning the Westsyde Pool to regular service hours.

“We’re actively hiring at this moment. The hope is that we will have those lifeguards deck-ready by November. Providing that some of those staff are available during the weekdays, then we can start to look at reopening the pool at that time,” added Holmes.

Weekend hours at Westsyde Pool have not been affected and any further information regarding closures and hirings can be found on the city’s website.