The Escalon Community Pool is unable to be opened this summer, officials have announced, due to a lack of certified lifeguards.

City Manager Dominique Romo said they tried to get enough lifeguards to provide the needed level of staffing at the pool to safely open, but fell short of the number necessary.

“Instead, staff has been directed by the Council to work with surrounding cities’ public pools,” Romo explained. “Riverbank and Oakdale pools will provide vouchers for those residents of the Escalon Unified School District who would like to swim at their pools for this summer season.”

The vouchers are free and will be available in Escalon City Hall during the month of July. Romo added that the vouchers are for those residing in the Escalon Unified School District only.

The pool was a topic of discussion at a prior Escalon City Council meeting, when it was learned that staffing was an issue. Other topics the council continues to address, said Romo, are senior housing and the ongoing negotiations with the Escalon Police Officers Association.

The Tuesday, July 5 council meeting was canceled; meetings are normally the first and third Mondays of the month but it was pushed to Tuesday because of the July 4 holiday on Monday. The July 5 cancellation puts the next regular council session on Monday, July 18.

“As far as for senior housing, the Council has directed staff to continue to work with groups and companies that showed interest in potentially developing a senior project in Escalon,” Romo said, as the city looks to increase the amount of affordable housing for older residents.

Contract negotiations also continue with the POA; Romo said the council is waiting for a counter response from the city’s latest offer and “hope to have a meeting soon.”