By Gila Herald Staff
SAFFORD — The Safford Community Pool announced an abrupt end to its summer season on Tuesday, Aug. 4, canceling all remaining open swim days due to a sudden staffing shortage as local high school and college students return to class.
The city pool issued an official notice informing residents of the immediate closure:
“Our apologies: Due to unexpected circumstances we regrettably must announce the immediate cancellation of all remaining “open swim” days and close the community pool entirely for the season.”
Like many municipal aquatic facilities across the Gila Valley, Safford relies heavily on high school students to staff its lifeguard chairs throughout the summer months. With the start of the new academic school year, the drop in available certified staff left the pool unable to meet mandatory safety supervision ratios for public swim sessions.
Regional closures and alternative swimming options
Safford is not the only municipality in the area impacted by late-summer staffing rollbacks. The Pima Pool similarly concluded its regular-season operations for the same reason, as student staff returned to their classrooms and extracurricular schedules.
For residents still looking to beat the August heat, alternative swimming opportunities remain available elsewhere in the region:
- Eastern Arizona College Pool (Thatcher): The EAC Pool summer schedule continues through Saturday, Aug. 8. EAC offers daily lap swim from 12 to 1 p.m., open public swim Monday through Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m., and evening open swim on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission is $2 per person.
- Morenci Community Center Pools (Morenci): The Morenci Community Center operates both indoor and outdoor pools year-round, with adjusted fall hours. The indoor pool offers public open swim on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 7 p.m., and Fridays from 4 to 6 p.m. The outdoor pool holds weekend open swim sessions on Saturdays through Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Daily admission ranges from $4 for youth to $7 for adults, with non-resident day passes available.
