Director for Recreation and Community Services Vicky Luttenberger addressed North Huron councilors regarding the staff shortages at both Blyth Community Centre and the North Huron Wescast Community Complex, a report said.
She said that if they did not make adjustments, the possibilities for the two centers to remain open would be limited.
The matter was previously debated at a special session in August. The council subsequently approved a process for recruitment to fill part-time positions as recreation facility operators for both community centers.
Staff also posted a job ad for a full-time, seasonal recreation facility operator job. It was thought that the full-time, seasonal position could be divided between the two facilities.
Alongside the part-time and full-time seasonal jobs, the staff also posted ads for part-time arena attendants (students).
Luttenberger told the council members that the attempt to recruit was unsuccessful, with just eight part-time applicants and one who applied for full-time employment. Still, none of them had the necessary qualifications.
The operator position at the recreation facility is not an entry-level job, Luttenberger explained.
“These positions are responsible for the operations and maintenance of the entire facility. They are required to perform hourly system checks and complete logs on the refrigeration system and the mechanical pool system,” she said. “They are also responsible for flooding the ice, adding chemicals to the pool, and balancing the PH level in the aquatic system. They are also responsible for other areas including the campground, sports fields, courts, playgrounds, park amenities, etc.
Candidates must be certified in various areas, such as operating cooling equipment, safe operation, and maintenance of an ice resurfacing un. They must have completed any other courses related to the care of the facility.
Furthermore, if they operate in Wingham, they are required to be a certified pool operator.
An authorized operator of a recreation facility must be present in the building at all times.
The worker safety issue was also raised with the new regulations regarding vaccinations and the requirement for employees to obtain proof from customers.
The council approved the motions to hire a full-time Recreation Facilities Operator II at the North Huron Wescast Community Complex and move from a part-time Recreation Facilities Operator II position to a full-time job.
