News release
For immediate release
ESQUIMALT, BC—The Township of Esquimalt was recognized at the year’s Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) Community Excellence Awards. Esquimalt Recreation’s Youth Aquatic Safety and Leadership Program received honours for Excellence in Service Delivery.
The awards highlight programs that are “innovative, provide direct benefit to their community, and demonstrate leadership in their field.”
Esquimalt’s Youth Aquatic Safety and Leadership Program was designed to address the lifeguard shortages during COVID-19—these shortages resulted in pool closures due to insufficient lifeguard numbers. Esquimalt Recreation partnered with the local high school to allow students to undergo lifeguard training as part of their normal physical education periods. The program was offered at a reduced cost to participants and provided a pathway for high school students to become lifeguards.
“Part of Esquimalt’s identity is one of adaptability and resilience,” said Mayor Barbara Desjardins. “Our staff saw an opportunity rather than a barrier and now we have a community-driven program with a broad range of benefits. We’re very honoured to be recognized by UBCM for this accomplishment.”
“The elements of this program—providing youth employment and leadership development while helping to fill a dire staffing need—is something we’re very proud of,” said Steve Knoke, Director of Parks and Recreation. “The program is seen as a stepping stone for youth to explore various career paths within Parks and Rec and beyond.”
The program combines workforce development and public safety while strengthening the relationship between the township and local schools. After three years of the program, the township is seeing a quantifiable impact: 21 per cent of the 81 lifeguards at Esquimalt Recreation came from the Youth Aquatic Safety and Leadership Program.
UBCM cited that, “Your Youth Aquatic Safety and Leadership Program stood out for the way you found a cost-effective and collaborative way to address a need in your community, while adding benefit to your youth and general pool users. By leveraging infrastructure and resources already in your community to deliver more services, create opportunities and solve a problem, you have exemplified the very best in local government service delivery.”
While no date is set for the next session, Recreation staff are actively working with schools to find the next available opportunity to run the program.
This is not the first accolade for the leadership program. The program was also recognized earlier this year at the 2025 BC Economic Development Awards.
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Media contact
Tara Zajac
Manager of Communications
tara.zajac@esquimalt.ca