The city of Cumming is looking to fill positions at its new aquatic center, which is slated to open in early June.

The $15 million facility is being built on a 70-acre site off Pilgrim Mill Road. It will feature a 50-meter competition pool, as well as one for physical therapy and an outdoor leisure pool with a children's play area.

All those pools will require the services of trained lifeguards.

"As you can imagine with three pools and all the hours we're wanting to be open, we'll need a boatload of them," said Greg Little, Cumming recreation and parks department director.

Little said he's anticipating hiring about 40 to 45 lifeguards.

"Now, we may get open and see that we need a few more, but for now that's what we're thinking," he said.

The positions will encompass standard lifeguards, as well as lifeguard instructors and managers.

He said department staff are "putting the word out" that they are seeking lifeguards and encouraging anyone interested in applying to obtain their lifeguard certification on their own.

"Just because someone goes and gets certified, doesn't mean we'll hire them," Little said. "We'll have in-water interviews with all of them and then hire based on their performance.

"Not all lifeguard certification classes are created equal."

The department is also seeking an aquatics facility manager.

Phil Higgins with the city's human resources department said the resumes of the 26 applicants are being reviewed.

Next week, the department will begin accepting resumes for an assistant manager and pool technician.

In February, the department began taking proposals from swim team organizations to provide full-service competitive swimming for all age groups at the center.

Little said a committee is reviewing the six proposals the city received, adding they "hope to get that established by the first of April."