Black Rock Beach loses lifeguard for summer season
A Halifax beach that saw only a few dozen swimmers last summer will be without a lifeguard this season.
The municipality says Black Rock Beach in Point Pleasant Park will be unsupervised — a move that it says will save about $15,000.
According to the municipality, the number of swimmers at Black Rock Beach has declined steadily in recent years. Last year, only 59 people went for a dip during the 62 days lifeguards surveyed the area.
The municipality said beaches are "constantly" re-evaluated to determine whether lifeguards are needed.
Signs warning swimmers that the beach is unsupervised have been placed near the entrance of Black Rock Beach. The signs also direct beachgoers to a website where they can find supervised beaches in the area.
Even so, a former lifeguard who frequents the park said many newcomers to the city who visit may not be aware the beach is unsupervised. Chris Caverly said not having a lifeguard on hand is a safety issue.
"I think we need one this year and every year," he said.
Black Rock Beach has occasionally through the years been deemed too dirty for swimmers to use. The municipality said staff will continue to monitor bacteria levels at the site this summer.
Supervised beaches throughout the municipality start lifeguard service Saturday.
