Reporter-News photo by Thomas Metthe City of Abilene recreation programs supervisor Anita Vigil vacuums the Rose Park swimming pool Friday afternoon.

Less than two weeks before Abilene's two public pools are set to open, city recreation officials say they are still in dire need of lifeguards.

There are currently three life guards on staff for the Rose Park and Stevenson Park swimming pools -- one manager and two head guards. The city needs at least seven more, said Carl Scott, city recreation administrator.

"We're just doing everything we can to get more," Scott said. "We're offering a $200 bonus if our lifeguards stay the entire summer."

Last August, officials had to close down Rose Park Swimming Pool two weeks early because of the dearth of guards. Scott attributed the loss of guards to the return of the school year and said many were college students.

Three lifeguards are stationed at the Stevenson Park Pool, and at least six others are needed at Rose Park in order for officials to feel "comfortable," Scott said. The lifeguards rotate days off, so the city must have at least 10 guards, he said.

"We hope we are able to fill these spots. We certainly want to be able to open the pools," Scott said.

To be a lifeguard, applicants must have a Red Cross Lifeguard Training certificate, be at least 16 years old and pass a drug and background check.

Red Cross Health and Safety Coordinator Jana Howe said the certification classes run often, with four instructors holding class all over Abilene. Classes have previously been held in Breckenridge and Sweetwater as well, she said.

The classes are intensive and have at least 10 students in each, Howe said. The students come from a 12-county radius to train in lifeguarding.

"They are being taught how to save lives and pull people out of water," she said. "Our instructors want to make sure kids are prepared if something happens and know exactly what to do if it does."

The cost of the Red Cross lifeguard training varies by instructor. The minimum cost is $150, and Scott said the city does not reimburse applicants for its cost.

To take the class, students must be at least 15 years old, be able to swim 300 yards continuously, swim 20 yards using front crawl or breast stroke, surface dive seven to 10 feet, retrieve a 10-pound object, return to the surface, swim 20 yards back to the starting point with the object, and exit the water without using a ladder or steps, within 1 minute, 40 seconds, according to information provided by Howe.

The two public pools will be open for Memorial Day weekend and will officially open for the summer on May 31. The pools will remain open until about Aug. 24, Scott said.