GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Green Bay Parks Department said last month, if they didn’t have positions filled at Bay Beach by Memorial Day weekend, there could be issues for those looking to enjoy the rides.
They now say some positions have been filled, but there still a risk if others are not.
With Bay Beach opening it’s doors seven days a week beginning this weekend, staff says they’re in a better position, employment-wise.
“We haven’t been overstaffed, we haven’t been understaffed it’s been pretty good,” said Bay Beach team leader Kaylee Greenwood.
“There won’t be any rides closed because of the amount of employees,” said Jordanne Hanson, a concessions supervisor at the park. “We have will have everything that can be open, will be open.”
Right now the staff says they have a solid group of subs to help keep the park running. But as always, a few extra hands on deck are always needed.
“Of course as you know, employees as summer goes on I mean staff if they work too much, they start to get burnt out,” said Assistant Parks Director, James Andersen. “You know maybe subs are not as available and we don’t want anybody to have– we want to keep our level of customer service really high.”
While Bay Beach employment is looking up for the rest of the season, Anderson tells FOX 11 they’re still concerned about filling lifeguard positions at all three pools in Green Bay.
“At this point if we had to open tomorrow we’d open one of our three pools.”
That’s the same position the parks department was in last month when it comes to lifeguards. Pools are scheduled to open June 12. To open all three pools, Andersen says the department would need another 15 to 20 full-time lifeguards.
FOX 11 asked if they find themselves competing with unemployment benefits.
“I definitely think it’s a factor, but I don’t know how much it plays into that. There are a lot smarter people than me doing research on that right now and seeing how that plays into it,” said Andersen. “I do think it’s one of the factors. I also think with the flexible work schedules going on right now, for example with people working from home, the opportunity to do that. Also just to travel over the summer.”
Anderson says they are also still looking for people to work at the parks, to help run the parkee program. Right now they plan to open 16 parks, but could open others if more staff is added.
The parks committee will meet today and will address staffing concerns. Members will also discuss which of the three pools should open, if staffing is not filled.
