The Town of St. Paul administration is on the hunt again for a manager for the St. Paul Aquatic Centre following the dismissal of Bob Everett, hired earlier this fall to oversee operations at the pool
CAO Ron Boisvert would only say that Everett “didn’t fit the organization” and administration had “no reasons to explain anything” beyond that. He did confirm that Everett had not completed his probationary period when he was let go last month.
The position has been posted and Boisvert said every effort will be made to fill the position as soon as possible.
Boisvert said staffing of the pool is one of the toughest areas for the municipality to maintain and he says other municipalities have the same experience.
“It’s the worst department for staffing. We have a lot of good employees that go to school,” he said, referring to students who work at the pool and then move away once they finish high school locally.
However, Boisvert said he expects the pool to have a full complement of staff, except for a manager, in January. The training of new lifeguards will not be affected, as a trainer from Bonnyville will complete the courses already underway with staff, he said.
Town councillor Gary Ward, who also sits on the Recreation Board, would say little about the town having to hire another manager.
“Honestly, nobody has talked to me in regards to the swimming pool in the past or now,” Ward said when asked if he has received concerns from the public regarding the pool’s operation. “Hopefully, we can proceed with extra hours in the new year. We should be OK as far as lifeguards.”
