New Las Vegas-area gym pool rules detailed in health district documents
LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) — Las Vegas Athletic Club lawyers originally argued hiring lifeguards would result in a "financial catastrophe," but new details reveal just how much the company will have to change to fall in line with the health district's guidelines.
In June, Chad Smith, president of LVAC, stated under oath that providing a lifeguard at each facility would increase their payroll by a minimum of $157,680 per month and result in financial hardship for the company. The health district disagreed with the company's claim and instead pointed to a woman's death and $312,625 in revenue for LVAC pools alone as two reasons to install lifeguards at the gym's pools.
Following legal action between LVAC and the health district, the gym began to comply with the new lifeguard requirement and proposed a series of plans. On Monday, the health district approved a plan submitted by the company, allowing the gym pools to begin plans for reopening.
The "Lifeguard Staffing Plan" lists a series of guidelines for the LVAC to enforce following the hiring process for new lifeguards.
Lifeguard Staffing Plan (Revised September 3, 2024)
Lifeguard rotations shall not exceed 60 minutes
All Lifeguard on Duty will be able to reach a subject member within 20 seconds within their zone of coverage
Lifeguards will walk the perimeter of the pool area, ensuring there are no safety hazards
Lifeguards will maintain rotation logs and certifications
Lifeguards will be off rotation for a minimum of 15 minutes
Lifeguards will have a rescue tube, hip pack with PPE, access to a backboard, first aid kit, ring buoy, and Shephard's Crook
All lifeguards will be Lifeguard Pro, American Red Cross, or equivalent certified
Lifeguards will be responsible for removing the stanchions in the indoor pool area
Staff members must enforce pool closure hours and be able to respond within 30 seconds if a breach occurs
Members will be given only one warning for an intentional breach. If it happens a second time, the membership will be cancelled
Lifeguard Supervisor on duty will have monthly drills
If the monitor at the front desk fails to provide a live feed of the pool area, a member of the staff must remain in the pool area until the problem is corrected
Locations for all LVAC pools are proposed to be open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with a separate plan for Saturday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and a plan for the pool to be open year-round.
