Many Columbia pools are closing as school year draws near

COLUMBIA — Multiple pools in Columbia are closing ahead of the start of the school year due to low lifeguard staffing.

Douglass Pool and Lake of the Woods Pool in Columbia are typically both closed around the first weekend of August, according to Aquatics Supervisor Sydney Philpot.

This is due to much of the city's lifeguard staff soon beginning school and fall sports even going on end-of-summer vacations.

"It's very staff-dependent," Philpot said. "We do all of our hiring at the beginning of the summer. When we make the schedules, we go off of what we know we can do."

Philpot also said that if staffing numbers allow, Columbia Parks and Recreation will consider extending closing dates, but this is not one of those years.

However, the Albert-Oakland Family Aquatic Center stays open lon