lifeguard shortage in North Texas and beyond has forced Grand Prairie to modify city swimming pool hours this summer.

The city has hired about 35 lifeguards, half of the typical number for this time of year.

As a result, the city’s three community pools will operate on a rotating schedule, and admission will be free instead of $1 as in past years, said Chris Ginapp, senior recreation superintendent.

“We wanted to make sure to take care of residents in all the neighborhoods,” Ginapp said. “A rotating schedule is the best way to do that.”

Other Texas cities, including Irving and Richardson, have restricted hours or not opened swimming pools, citing a shrinking pool of qualified lifeguards.

Disruptions to lifeguard training and certification programs nationwide over the past year has badly hurt numbers, said BJ Fisher, health and safety director for the American Lifeguard Association. Additionally, thousands of lifeguards typically come to the U.S. from other countries and are unable to do so this year due to travel restrictions.

“It’s a major problem, certainly the worst we’ve ever seen,” Fisher said. “Community pools are so wonderful, and we’re at risk of many not opening at all.”

Grand Prairie pool schedule:

• Bowles, 2714 Graham Street: 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday
• McFalls, 505 Dickey Road: 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Friday
• Tyre, 2327 Tyre Street: 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday and Saturday