Swimmers in Charleston had few choices Monday, unless they were members of a private swimming club or had access to a backyard pool.

City officials closed most of Charleston's public pools over the weekend, citing a lack of trained and available lifeguards, leaving only the Kanawha City pool open.

The pools at the North Charleston and Martin Luther King Jr. community centers closed Friday, while the Cato Park pool closed Sunday evening. City Parks and Recreation officials closed the Vandalia pool several weeks ago after a filter pump broke, and did not reopen it.

Parks & Recreation leaders typically have a hard time keeping city pools staffed during August, as lifeguards go back to college and practice begins for fall high school sports.

Almost exactly a year ago, the King Center pool was closed unexpectedly when only two lifeguards showed up, and all pools were closed by about mid-August except for the Cato pool.

Parks & Recreation Director John Charnock could not be reached for comment Monday.

City officials closed most of Charleston's public pools over the weekend, citing a lack of trained and available lifeguards, leaving only the Kanawha City pool open.

The pools at the North Charleston and Martin Luther King Jr. community centers closed Friday, while the Cato Park pool closed Sunday evening. City Parks and Recreation officials closed the Vandalia pool several weeks ago after a filter pump broke, and did not reopen it.

Parks & Recreation leaders typically have a hard time keeping city pools staffed during August, as lifeguards go back to college and practice begins for fall high school sports.

Almost exactly a year ago, the King Center pool was closed unexpectedly when only two lifeguards showed up, and all pools were closed by about mid-August except for the Cato pool.

Parks & Recreation Director John Charnock could not be reached for comment Monday.