Hope floats as West Seneca moves toward reopening its pool this summer

“My hope is people will return to the pool,” Councilman Robert J. Breidenstein said Tuesday. “From a town perspective, that’s really going to be key.”

As an incentive to attract swimmers to the pool on Legion Drive, residents won’t have to pay an admission fee.

“It will open,” Supervisor Gary Dickson said. How often will be determined by the amount of staff the town can hire.

Courtney Fallon, a frequent critic of the town’s actions on the pool, said she doesn’t believe the town has hired enough lifeguards to open the pool under the town safety plan.

“Under their plan, the pool can’t open with five lifeguards and one supervisor,” said Fallon, a supporter of keeping the pool open. She has said the safety plan requires too many lifeguards, and maintains sections of the pool could be closed if there are fewer guards.

The town as of this week has hired 12 people for aquatic staff positions, Breidenstein said, and by next week should have 16 or 17 lifeguards and supervisors.

“We have some people in the cue but not through the process,” the councilman said.