Long Waits At El Paso’s Public Pools

With consistent triple-digit heat hitting in the Borderland and most kids out of school, thousands are flocking to the city’s public pools.

But there’s not enough room for all of them.

El Paso Parks and Recreation Department officials report lines at just about every one of the15 pools. ABC-7 found a line outside the Armijo Recreation Center throughout the weekend and even on Monday.

While about 150 adults and kids were splishing and splashing inside Armijo pool Monday afternoon, dozens of others were outside in the 100-plus degree heat, waiting for their chance to cool off.

“I’m here with all my family,” said El Pasoan Erica Lucas. “I’ve been standing out here for an hour and a half. They won’t let us in. It’s overcapacity. There’s not enough lifeguards. I wish they would do something about it.”

While a lack of lifeguards has been an issue with the city’s public pools in past summers, that’s not the problem this summer, according to Parks and Rec officials.

“We have enough lifeguards,” said Wright Stanton, Aquatics Manager aquatics manager for El Paso Parks and Rec. “I couldn’t put more people in the pool because if we get too many people in the pool then it becomes a safety hazard.”

Stanton said although the capacity is 190 at Armijo, they cut it off at 150 — 50 people for every lifeguard. He said with close to 200 in the pool “then my lifeguards won’t be able to see the bottom of the pool.”

Stanton said he does feel bad that people have to wait outside, but the only way to fix the problem would be to build more public pools, something there are no plans to do at this point.

“I’ve been waiting an hour and a half too,” said 10-year-old Angel Gonzalez, who thought he’d be able to go to the pool and jump right in.

To find out which pools are at capacity and which ones aren’t, call the Parks and Rec Department at 915-544-3556.