Why don’t lifeguards stay on past Labour Day?

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Lifeguards leave their posts along local beaches as soon as Labour Day is over and many people are wondering why, especially when the warm weather extends well into the fall like it did this year.

“I can’t say we would never look into it, but it has been a long-standing operational protocol to have the lifeguards pack up at the end of the Labour Day weekend,” says Aaron Jasper with the Vancouver Park Board.

“Logistically, it’s also difficult to change gears once schedules have been made; a lot of our staff have made other arrangements, such as new employment or other things in life.”

With the kids back in school now, Jasper adds it wouldn’t make sense financially to keep paying lifeguards past the long weekend.

“Keeping a pool open all day long for just a handful of swimmers that might come by in morning or midday, might not be the best use of staff resources or operating costs.”

However, he adds they have extended the season at the outdoor pool in Kits which is open until today.

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