City of Raleigh modifies hours at 8 Raleigh pools due to staffing amid extended hot weather

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The City of Raleigh is cutting back hours at eight pools due to staffing issues, and an official said the modified hours will likely continue through the rest of the summer.

Raleigh Season Pools Director LeeAnne Quattropani said the department is down 30 to 40 lifeguards during a summer with high demand.

"We do the best we can," she said. "With it being so hot, that does mean we will have a lot more people showing up, and you may not be able to get into the pool because they're at capacity."

Aquatics centers are now on a Code Yellow.

Bella Nesbeth is home from college for the summer. She's on the dive team in Iowa and said it's important for her to get in as much time in the water as possible.

She's been working around Raleigh's modified hours.

"It is really hard," said Nesbeth. "It's not always open. Even if they say it's open, there's not always enough lifeguards."

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Ben Woodard said he has unfortunately been turned away, but he was able to get into Lake Johnson Pool.

"This pool actually has a decent amount of staff, so we haven't had any kind of interruptions," he said.

Woodard came for a family swimming lesson and some reprieve.

"Especially with the heat wave recently, it gives us something to do other than basically sweating in the yard," he said.

Raleigh isn't planning to hire more lifeguards until September 1.

Residents are asked to call a particular aquatic center and check the hours before showing up.

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