HASTINGS, Neb. – Weather permitting, the Hastings Aquacourt is set to open this weekend, and has all but two of its lifeguard positions filled. 

"I think we're right around 30 for re-hires, and then 20 new hires," said Hastings Recreation Superintendent Steve Farrens. "I'm pretty happy to see that several of them are actually people who have had certifications before that have been in other communities and are taking the opportunity to continue working in aquatics."

In Hastings, lifeguard numbers are back to normal after COVID caused lifeguard numbers to drop in the years after 2020, but have been adequate the past two years.

Farrens says that the Aquacourt has 48 available lifeguards for opening weekend, and the other two will join the rotation in early June.

Over 100 new lifeguards from in and around Hastings go through rigorous but necessary training totaling 28 hours through the Hastings YMCA lifeguard training program before they can take the guard stand during the summer for the first time.

"It is a lot. I teach it, and I get tired," said Hastings YMCA Aquatics Director Maria Urlacher. "These guys who are the first time doing it, it takes a lot out of them, but they have a pretty good attitude out of it."

Training prepares lifeguards for just about any scenario, including the tragic drowning of a teenage girl at the Hastings Aquacourt last August.

"It makes things very real, but it's also good for our guards to see that all of the training and preparation that we do, that we give someone a chance it that situation," said Farrens. "They know as they're going through their certifications that it can be necessary, and it's good to have such a focus on all that training to be in that spot and fully prepared."

"It's not always going to be perfect, so you don't want to train them perfect every single time, and then when something bad happens you don't know what to do," said Urlacher. "They've been emphasizing if something does go wrong, here's what you can do to get back to where you need to be."

Farrens says the Aquacourt didn’t have to make any major repairs during the offseason, and all parts of the water park should be operational during opening day on Saturday. 

However, with high temperatures in the 60's for the next few days, the Aquacourt may not open as the water park only opens on days 70 degrees or warmer. 

The Hastings Aquacourt will be open daily, weather permitting, from this weekend until mid-August.

Program, swimming, and event schedules plus daily closure announcement can be found on the Hastings Aquacourt Facebook page.