Wrangell Sentinel -

At last week’s Park Board meeting, the department head reported the lack of qualified lifeguarding staff has been causing problems.

Parks and Recreation director Kate Thomas explained last Wednesday that Wrangell’s public pool operates 63 hours per week, requiring 105 lifeguard hours to operate. While 10 available staffers would be ideal, the department currently only has four to try and cover shifts. Both herself and the assistant director have been spending up to half their time filling in at the pool.

The pool is the most heavily used amenity at the recreation center. Over the past calendar...