Beach closes as lifeguards head to school

NORWICH, Conn. (WTNH) -- The hot sunny days of summer may be far from over, but one city is closing it's only swimming hole this weekend.

Spaulding Pond Beach, the Mohegan Park swimming hole is closing after Sunday because the lifeguards are all heading off to college so there will be no one left to guard the beach.

"That's a disappointment," said Kevin Boulanger, of Griswold.

"You're not going to be a popular guy if it's really hot and sunny next week," said News 8's Tina Detelj.

"Nah. I mean there will be sprinklers. Maybe we'll bring down a sprinkler or put out a hose and let people run through that," said Roger Moss, Norwich

However, Moss's hands are tied. He can't hire anyone younger than 17 and a half.

"It just makes it difficult to bring in high school students who would still be around," Moss said. "So if we can change that and look at that policy then maybe we can also hire some younger 16-year-olds that will be around until school started."

"They got to do what they got to do," said Tom Moniz. "You can't get mad at them for it. They got to go to school."

Moniz brings his son Cole to Spaulding Pond every chance he gets. It's Norwich's only public swimming area and it's free.

"It stinks," said Moniz, "but luckily there a couple of things around here, you just have to drive a little ways to get to them."

There are four lifeguards on duty at all times, so they can switch off giving each lifeguard a bit of a break.

Next year Moss may look at hiring older lifeguards as well, possibly a teacher or retired person who will be free all summer.

In the meantime, there's always the sprinkler.

"Oh that would be nice," said Moniz. "He loves running through these things."

Moniz says when it's hot any little bit helps.