Swim at your own risk: No lifeguards at Lacey’s Long Lake for third year in a row

Lacey faces staff shortage for summer activities

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As the City of Lacey reopens its summer activities after two years of pandemic lockdown, it currently faces a staff shortage, specifically on lifeguards, members of the Community Relations and Public Affairs Committee discussed on Monday, June 5.

Lacey City Manager Scott Spence clarified that the city still can't provide lifeguards to staff Long Lake Park.

"Obviously, we're not going to be in a posture again with the Long Lake Swim Beach to lifeguard, so this will be the third summer in a row now," said Spence.

The Lacey website claimed that the Long Lake Park features one of the finest swimming beaches in Thurston County. The 285 foot beachfront features beach volleyball and picnic tables. The upland area has a natural trail through the woods.

Recreation Manager Sue Falash said the city would continue to offer swimming programs alongside other summer activities in the coming months amid the lack of staff.

"We have shrunken things down dramatically just to accommodate the lack of staff," Falash said, referencing the shortened swimming lesson schedule from noon to 4:30 p.m.

According to the Lacey Parks, Culture and Recreation website, the city offers swim lessons, lap swimming, and a self-guided deep water fitness class in the indoor pools at North Thurston and River Ridge High Schools.

As posted on its Job Board, Lacey is currently looking for Aquatic Staff I, II and III, with a salary that ranges from $15.55 to $18.38 per hour.

CORRECTION: June 9, 2022 -- In a previous version of this story we misspelled the city manager's name in one instance.  We regret this error.

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