LAKEWOOD — The village of Lakewood is seeking certified lifeguards, a shortage seen elsewhere in Chautauqua County.

The lack of interested candidates, as well as the condition of the lake that has forced the closure of the Lakewood village beach, has been discussed by members of the village board in recent months.

Board members in February heard from an area resident asking when the beach at Richard O. Hartley Park would open this year. That resident, Michael Looker, noted that the beach was the village’s “most valuable asset.”

Lakewood Mayor Randy Holcomb explained that the beach is generally closed due to the condition of the lake and not for the lack of lifeguards.

“However, there were no lifeguard applications this last year,” Holcomb said.

Village board member Rich Fischer said it has been difficult recently to find local certified lifeguards. He said he spoke to officials in Mayville who noted similar issues with their beach.

Holcomb said he hoped to have the beach open this year.

See LIFEGUARDS, Page A7

At a meeting this week, board member Ellen Barnes said she reached out to the YMCA and found they will be holding a lifeguarding course beginning at the end of April. “So that gives us some hope that perhaps we’ll get some lifeguards,” Barnes said.

The board then approved a resolution to authorize the village to advertise a job listing for lifeguards for the 2022 season. The resolution was approved unanimously.