It was a busy 2024 season at Lions Club Pool. More than 15,000 persons used the pool during lab swim and open swim hours.
Jennah Carlson, recreation supervisor, told Homewood-Flossmoor Park District board members at the Oct. 1 meeting, that 1,401 memberships were sold this year, and 6,005 swimmers paid a daily rate. Daily fees generated $66,763 and memberships generated $72,526.
Of the daily fee payees, 4,621 were Homewood or Flossmoor residents and 1,384 were out of district. The daily rate is $10 for residents and $15 for non-residents. There were five days in June when the temperature was 90 degrees or higher, and Carlson said the attendance in June was 7,033. It dropped off to 5,623 in July.
Board member Debbie Dennison asked if the pool season could be extended. The pool was open June 2 through Aug. 11. Carlson said it’s not possible to extend the season because the lifeguards and pool managers return to school and work. The 2025 season will be May 31 through Aug. 17.
Carlson ran two lifeguard certification courses before the season, certifying 27 lifeguards and managers.
Lions Pool staff also worked with the Homewood Fire Department to practice the Emergency Action Plan. Carlson earned aqua facility operator certification, a comprehensive and up-to-date training on water chemistry, disinfection, mechanical systems, operations, healthy pools and safety from StarGuard Elite, a certification company.
Carlson said staff were audited three times in unannounced visits by StarGuard Elite. For two of the visits, Lions Pool got a five-star rating, the highest possible rating. On the third visit, staff earned a four-star rating.
Lifeguards who were assessed by the certification company were Addison Sextonson, Max Quirke, Jack Quirke, Jordyn Abercrombie, Saada Marve, Wesley Schmidt, Anthony Mancha, David Winicky, Dallas Prince, Marvin Junior, Tristan Kennon.
Noah Norris, Drew Bingham, Sanaa Henry, Sophie McManus, Layla Rogan, Alanna Lang, Maddy Sampson, Johnathan Jenkins, Cole Kennerly, Samya Sissac, Kailah Oum, Peyton Butler, Matt Kneeland, Sam Sextonson, Alan Johnson, Dylan Aver.
The pool staff offered swim lessons, aqua fitness aerobics, a member appreciation night and a teen night. The pool hosted 39 pool parties.
This year, the concession stand for Lions Pool was operated by pool staff. In the past it was under Wiley’s Grill operations. Carlson earned a food protection manager certification to ensure food safety standards.
Staff had to shut down the baby pool in June when a pump failed. The crew thought they had it fixed in 2023, but had to make repairs again this year, said Doug Boehm, parks executive director. Repairs were made to level the concrete of the pool. The board is aware of the age of the pool and has looked at ways to make improvements, but no decision has been made on next steps.