City officials said staffing is an issue
HANNA SPRINGS POOL CLOSED OVER HOLIDAY WEEKEND
The Hanna Springs Pool will be closed for several days over the July 4th weekend due to staffing issues.
In a public notice issued on Wednesday, Lampasas City staff stated that the Hanna Springs Pool located in Campbell Park will be closed from July 4 through Monday, July 8. The Hancock Free Flow Swim Area will remain open during those days between the hours of noon and 5 p.m.
The annual Twilight Swim event, originally scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at the Hanna Springs Pool, was cancelled.
“We were just short staffed,” said City Manager Finley deGraffenried. “It’s somewhat related to Spring Ho as well.”
In addition to the recent resignation of City Pool Manager Sundae Hein, deGraffenried said it’s been “tough to find staff.”
That issue has been a topic of discussion since the last summer season.
In a controversial decision by city council in March of 2023, fees for lap swimmers were increased to $40 per month but, as Parks & Recreation Director Chris Eicher stated at that time, that increase wouldn’t be enough to increase funding for lifeguards and pool staff.
This increase was approved two weeks before council members discussed the inability to fill lifeguard and other pool staff positions and voiced concerns the pools might not have the staff to open for the season due to noncompetitive hourly wages offered at the time.
“We hate closing down pools for this reason, but we also have to take public safety into account,” deGraffenried said.
