OLD ORCHARD BEACH – A shortage of lifeguards will mean some lifeguard stands will be closed this summer in Old Orchard Beach.

“We’ve been having a pretty difficult time finding lifeguards for this summer,” said Town Manager Larry Mead said at Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting. He said the town had secured only about half of the desired number of lifeguards.

He said the town would be reducing the coverage area by about half from the preferred amount of 13 lifeguard stations to seven.

The following locations will have staffed lifeguard towers: Walnut Street, Cortland Avenue near the Surf Six restaurant, Old Orchard Street near The Pier, Fourth Avenue near The Brunswick hotel, Atlantic Avenue, Union Avenue and Temple Avenue.

Locations that will not be staffed at this time include the following three areas that were not staffed last year due to a lifeguard shortage:  Parcher Avenue near the Grand Beach Inn, Mullen Street near the Alouette Beach Resort and Boisvert Street near the Casablanca Condominiums.

There other locations that the town, at this time, plans not to staff and those include Reggio Avenue, Tioga Avenue and area near the Friendship Oceanfront Suites.

“I’m disappointed about that. We’re going to continue our efforts to recruit additional people,” said Mead.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.