SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- The city of Springfield is preparing to open its public pools and splash pads for the summer season, with officials reporting full lifeguard staffing ahead of the scheduled openings.

Tom Ashe, executive director of Springfield Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management, said the department is ready for the busy season. “It’s a great time of year for us. You can hear all of our mowers are doing their thing. Grass is growing. Everything is growing very rapidly. We look forward to the summer season,” he said.

Springfield’s splash pads were not operational during last week’s four-day heat wave due to lack of staffing. Ashe said the department has two staff members who operate several dozen splash pads throughout the city.

Meanwhile, Joe Federico, aquatics director for the city of Springfield, said lifeguard positions are now fully staffed. “Obviously, we still have to go through training and orientation and things, but we are fully staffed,” he explained. “I think we have a few more (lifeguards) this year, actually. I’ve been getting really good numbers in the lifeguard courses that I run throughout the school year.”

The lifeguard staff includes students from Springfield Public Schools, who receive free certification through a partnership with the district. Other lifeguards are returning workers who need to update their certifications, and some are college students who work during summer break. “I even get some college kids who stay around and come back when they get out of school and work for the summer, so they’re always excited to start,” Federico said.

The Forest Park and Gerena School pools will open July 1. The city’s splash pads will begin operating the week before.

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