Dear Residents,

There is a nationwide shortage of available people in the workforce, with many job openings going unfulfilled. These impacts have affected large enterprises like Cedar Point, down to small businesses including restaurants, landscapers, and more. Unfortunately, this problem has also hit the pool management industry, making it challenging to fill lifeguard positions.

The HOA Board has recently been notified that at this time, Metropolitan Pools does not have enough lifeguards to fully staff their pools - this includes Hampton Place. Metropolitan Pools is offering many incentives to attempt to attract talent, including but not limited to higher wages, free training ($200 value), covering certification costs ($100 value), lowering the minimum age, and more.  Despite these efforts, applications for lifeguards are still far below average.

While some pools cannot be opened at all due to the shortage, Metropolitan Pools is opening Hampton Place’s pool; however, there will be reduced days and hours until further notice.

On days the pool is open, the hours will be as follows:

  • Weekdays: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Weekends: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM, *but up to 8:00 PM if lifeguards are available.

Note:  There may be days when the pool is closed entirely if staffing is unavailable that day.  We plan to keep an up-to-date calendar on the Hampton Place Website (hamptonplace.org/pool).  We recommend you check the site regularly to ensure the pool is open before you visit.

Next Steps:

With this news, the Board discussed many options, including taking legal action against Metropolitan Pools and utilizing a different company to staff lifeguards for the pool season for 2021. However, given the national shortage of available individuals in the workforce, this same issue would occur with a new vendor. Moreover, the Board felt there are many factors including economic policies, COVID, and more that are contributing to this nationwide shortage we felt were out of Metropolitan Pools control.

How THE HOA is trying to help:

  • The HOA Board has opted to partner with Metropolitan Pools in not only marketing, but also offer up to four $500 SIGN-ON BONUSES to lifeguards fully assigned to, and work the Hampton Place pool, for the full season. This bonus is being funded with a combination of credits from the reduced pool hours plus additional unplanned income from more homes being sold than planned in 2021.
  • We will continue partnering with Metropolitan Pools on social media, signage, banners, etc., to promote openings for lifeguards and advertise the sign-on bonuses.

How YOU can help:

  • If you, your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc., ages 15 and older, are looking for a job and interested in lifeguarding at Hampton Place, ask them to apply ASAP. If Metropolitan Pools hires them, they will have to attend a small number of classes, and they can start immediately after. Again, all fees are covered.

*Applicants must specifically request to lifeguard at Hampton Place.  This option will be the fastest way to get back to the normal daily operation of 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM.

 

  • Also, when the pool does close early, we ask for extra kindness to the lifeguards. It is not their fault the pool has reduced hours, and they are the ones who are making it so the pool can Negativity will only hurt our chances of them returning.

We recognize this news will be frustrating for most, and honestly, it is for the HOA Board. We want to be fully transparent with the residents on the situation, and hopefully, between the continued efforts of Metropolitan Pools plus the HOA and our residents, we’ll be able to get dedicated lifeguards quickly and back to a regular pool season.

If you have any questions regarding the open positions, please contact Metropolitan Pools directly at 1-800-532-SWIM.

Thank you for your patience,

Board of Directors
Hampton Place Homeowners Association