Swimmers looking forward to enjoying the hot weather and taking a dip at outdoor city-run pool facilities in St. John’s have been disappointed this week to find the pools drained and the doors locked.

One woman who brought her family in from Bay Roberts says she was surprised to find the gates locked at Bannerman Park.

She was left scrambling to see if she could get her kids, who are too old for the splash pad, in at Paul Reynolds for a swim. She says closing the outdoor pools on August 28 is “way too early.”

Most city pools are staffed by students who are preparing for the return to university. The city says lifeguard recruitment was a challenge this year and they were grateful to have been able to offer a full summer of free outdoor swimming.