In a 6-1 vote tonight, Galesburg City Council members voted to eliminate lifeguards from manning Lake Storey Beach.
The move will save the city just over $39,000 and instead, signs will be displayed advising swimmers to “swim at your own risk.”
Additionally, swimmers will be able to utilize the facilities seven days per week during normal hours.
Prior to the vote, Fifth Ward Alderman Peter Schwartzman said he received feedback from some constituents concerned with the cuts. However, he told council the benefits seemed to outweigh the argument for keeping guards on staff.
“I think there is an increased desire by the Director of Parks and Recreation to enhance use of our facilities for all members of the community,” Flemming said. “One example of that is the increased number of days and I anticipate with his work and our council’s support, many other programs that we currently offer will look closely at the cost and accessibility to particularly all children.”
Third Ward Alderman Russell Flemming was the lone “no” vote, who also proposed an amendment to keep lifeguards staffed on weekends in order to have the water slide remain open at those times. The amendment failed 2-5 and the slide will be closed this season.
City Manager Todd Thompson says a cost study will now be done to determine how expensive permanently moving the slide to the Lakeside Aquatic Center would be.
