Lifeguards in Barrie are off-duty for the rest of the summer.
The City of Barrie only staffs beaches until Aug. 20; citing beaches are traditionally less busy in late August.
Officials also say they don’t have the staff because most guards are university students who don’t stick around town this late in the summer.
"Our lifeguards here at the beach are different than the pool lifeguards,” says Barrie’s manager of recreational programs, Steve Lee-Young.
“They go through extensive training and we want to make sure we have the qualified staff who are here to provide a safe environment for our families and users. When staff need to go away to further their education, we provide the service as long as we can."
Anne Valin knows just how busy centennial beach can get. She appreciates the work lifeguards do, but for beachgoers, summer isn't over yet.
"I understand some of them need a little time before college or university, but it certainly is a good feeling for families to know there is a lifeguard on the beach when the service is available."
City staff say they will review feedback and summer statistics to see if they need to extend the hours.
Mayor Jeff Lehman says if there was a feasible way to do that, and it was recommended to him, he would support it.
However, he says generally there are few complaints about lifeguard hours.
