Macon lifeguards at work, a look at which pools are open

Make a pit stop at any of the four recreational pools currently open in Bibb County and you’ll see young kids in brightly-colored swimsuits amble by, dripping water and leaving wet footprints on the concrete. 

A whistle piercing the hot air and a shout of “no running” or “stop slamming” is sure to follow in the kids’ footsteps.

Perched on an elevated wooden chair, lifeguards are hard to miss in their red attire, reigning over their aquatic kingdom of goggle-wearing swimmers and pool-goers in floaties. 

In previous years, the Macon-Bibb Recreation Department faced staffing shortages. 

The department typically has to work around the busy schedules of college and high school students, recreation director Robert Walker said, and with the school year ending later nowadays, the pools’ opening on Memorial Day weekend often conflicts with graduation dates. 

This season, however, he noted an uptick in applications. The department hired 29 lifeguards — each one must earn certification through the Red Cross, including CPR training.

This season is Mary Katherine Lewis’ second year working as a lifeguard. She keeps a close eye on all the kids in the pool and uses her “mom voice” to make sure everyone plays safe at the Delores A. Brooks Recreation Center.

Usually the recent Central High School graduate watches over the folks at Booker T. Washington Community Center.

“I know those kids,” she said. “They’re like little brothers, little sisters.” 

When she hangs up her whistle and life preserver for the summer, Lewis is headed to Kennesaw State University to pursue a degree in architecture. 

Sariel Maduro-Crawford, 19, said he enjoys his summer job of lifeguarding more than working at a grocery store because of the people he works with. 

The Georgia Southern University sonography student is a lifeguard for the first time this season.

Pool updates

The following Macon-Bibb County recreation center pools are open for the summer season: 

• Delores A. Brooks — 3326 Ocmulgee East Blvd.
• Memorial Gym — 2465 Second St. 
• Booker T. Washington — 391
  Monroe St. 
• South Bibb — 7035 Houston Road

The Bloomfield-Gilead pool has been closed for the past few seasons due to wire theft and vandalism, Walker said. There is no decision on the horizon to reopen the pool. 

The pools at Delores A. Brooks and Memorial Gym were recently resurfaced and the one at Frank Johnson Recreation Center is still undergoing renovations, which include a total resurfacing of the deck and inside of the pool. 

Walker did not have a specific timeline for the Frank Johnson pool opening, but he said he hopes it will be ready sometime this season. 

The Delores A. Brooks and South Bibb pools have the most foot traffic, according to Walker, because they’re closer to county lines and attract folks from neighboring counties.

Families can also cool down and have fun in the splash pads at Rosa Jackson Recreation Center, Freedom Park, South Bibb and Daisy Park. Filmore Thomas Park’s splash pads are currently closed for renovations.

The county pools are open Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday 1-7 p.m. The entry fee is $1 per person.