A judge has ruled in favor of Las Vegas Athletic Clubs in a legal dispute about whether the company has to supply lifeguards for its pools.
In a decision filed Tuesday, Clark County District Court Judge Timothy Williams said the Southern Nevada Health District “acted arbitrarily and capriciously” when it determined last year that LVAC pools are public and not exempt from the state law that mandates such pools are staffed with lifeguards.
The health district had argued that the size of the company — LVAC has over 160,000 members across the Las Vegas Valley — and its wide swath of users dictated that its pools be considered public.
The legal battle stems from a death at an LVAC location last year. On Feb. 4, 2024, Leticia Triplett, 58, drowned in the pool at the LVAC’s North Decatur location.
The health district said in a follow-up report that the drowning incident last for 20 minutes and that gym members had to retrieve Triplett from the pool.
Following Tripplet’s death, the health district began requiring LVAC locations with pools to staff lifeguards. Tuesday’s court order nullifies that rule, though it was unclear Wednesday night whether the gyms will continue to employ lifeguards.
A SNHD representative said via an email that the district would not comment on “ongoing litigation.” It’s not yet known if the district will appeal the decision.
Attempts to reach LVAC officials Wednesday evening were unsuccessful.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact Bryan Horwath at bhorwath@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BryanHorwath on X.
