Some Vancouver beaches may go without lifeguards
Posted February 26, 2012 7:15 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The Vancouver Park Board is mulling over cutting its lifeguard staff.
A report is recommending removing lifeguards from five beaches: Trout Lake, Jericho Beach, Spanish Banks West, Second Beach and Sunset Beach.
Park Board Chair Constance Barnes says in some cases it’s clear a lifeguard isn’t needed.
“A place like Trout Lake is a perfect example. Why are we spending taxpayers’ dollars on providing lifeguards at a lake that is actually quite toxic? No swimming is allowed at the lake,” she explains.
The report estimates cutting the lifeguards could save the board about $270,000 a year.
She says full-time staffing throughout the summer at 10 of the city’s beaches has already been questioned by taxpayers.
“Last year we had a lousy summer, quite rainy. Many times I got phone calls from people asking ‘why is there a in the lifeguard sitting out there in a lifeguard chair all by himself on rainy day?'”
Barnes is encouraging people to come out Monday night to voice their opinion on the report.
