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Algae leads to cancellation of Summer Beach Bash

Because of blue-green algae bloom on Diamond Lake, the Diamond Lake Beach will be closed this weekend and the Summer Beach Bash originally scheduled for Saturday has been canceled, the Mundelein Park & Recreation District announced.

"Because public safety is our top priority, we routinely test water quality at Diamond Lake Beach with the Lake County Health Department, Illinois Department of Public Health, and others," Ron Salski, executive director of the park district, said in a news release Friday.

Also, starting Monday, Diamond Lake Beach will be open only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays due to a lifeguard shortage. Available lifeguards have been shifted from Diamond Lake Beach to Barefoot Bay aquatic center, which will remain open daily. During a typical season, 100 or more lifeguards are employed at Barefoot Bay, but this season there only are 60. Aquatic center capacity will be kept at 60% to maintain a safe ratio of swimmers to lifeguards on duty, according to the district. Pool and beach closures last year severely reduced the number of applicants, with the mostly high school and college-aged students who take the jobs having sought positions elsewhere. A recruiting campaign is underway. Visit www.mundeleinparks.org/.

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