More Columbus swimming pools opening this week as heat wave rolls in

As a heatwave rolls through Greater Columbus this week — raising temperatures to the mid-90s — the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department is opening two more city pools.

Already open were the Driving Park (1100 Rhoads Ave.), Dodge (545 Sullivant Ave.) and Tuttle (240 W. Oakland Ave.) pools.

Added to the mix this week will be Glenwood (1888 Fairmont Ave.) and Lincoln (570 E. Woodrow Ave.).

The hours for Driving Park and Glenwood will be Monday and Wednesday to Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. and 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dodge, Tuttle and Lincoln will be open the same hours Tuesday through Sunday.

Swimming pools: Lifeguard shortage could delay opening for some Columbus-area swimming pools

Meanwhile, the Marion-Franklin (2699 Lockbourne Road), Maryland (1380 Atcheson St.) and Windsor (1300 Windsor Ave.) pools remain closed.

Tuesday is expected to be an especially hot day, with an excessive heat watch in effect from noon until 8 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. The day's high temperature is expected to be near 95 with heat index values as high as 107.

Wednesday it will be sunny and hot again, with temperatures reaching up to 97 degrees.

On Thursday, the high is expected to be about 94 degrees, but there's a chance of showers or thunderstorms.

Weather:Scorcher of a week rolls in for Greater Columbus

Dodge, Driving Park and Tuttle pools first opened for the season during Memorial Day weekend and reopened June 6. 

A staggered opening of outdoor swimming pools is typical for the city and gives officials enough time to complete necessary repairs and ensure there are enough staff members and lifeguards to operate the pools safely, Kerry Francis, spokeswoman for the parks department, previously told The Dispatch.

Columbus has been dealing with a lifeguard shortage. Dominique Shank, community relations chief for the department, said she expects the city to have between 70 and 75 lifeguards on staff by the end of this week as more people complete their lifeguard certification classes. That's a little less than half of the city's stated goal of 160 lifeguards, or 20 for each of its eight pools.

More: Community Recreation: Northland Swim Club pool making splash with first full season since '20

Shank said if the Recreation and Parks Department is able to hire more lifeguards, then there is a possibility that Marion-Franklin, Maryland and Windsor pools can open this summer as well.

"Right now we are open to the possibility of opening more pools, but that is contingent upon lifeguards," she said.

In the meantime, the department will have lifeguards rotate between the five pools, Shank said. She did not say how many will be stationed at each pool.

"We feel we can operate five pools safely with the number of lifeguards we do have," Shank said.

Lifeguard certification classes to work for the city of Columbus for the 2022 season continue this week at the Columbus Aquatics Center, 1160 Hunter Ave. They will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday. Individuals may sign up for pretesting at the center from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For information on how to become a lifeguard, call 614-645-6122 or email aquaticcenter@columbus.gov.

Micah Walker is the Dispatch trending reporter. Reach her at mwalker@dispatch.com or 740-251-7199. Follow her on Twitter @micah_walker701. 

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: As heatwave rolls in, more Columbus pools are opening this week