Town of Claresholm receives lifesaving awards

By Rob Vogt
The swimming program at the Claresholm Aquatic Centre has been recognized by the lifesaving society with two prestigious awards.
The presentations were made at the annual general meeting of the Lifesaving Society Alberta and Northwest Territories Branch in Lacombe on June 19.
The town received the Terry Cavanaugh Junior Lifeguard Club Recognition Award for the largest junior lifeguard program, for serving a community less than 7,500 people.
In fact, Claresholm’s junior lifeguard club has grown rapidly, increasing from nine to 23 members in months.
Part of that includes preparing for and participating in competitive lifesaving.
In addition to swimming, competitive lifesaving involves rescuing mannequins, obstacles and more.
The town also received the Marlin Moore National Recognition Award for having the largest national lifeguard program, for serving a community less than 7,500 people.
Raelene Petek, aquatics coordinator for the town, said the awards were for the 2025-2026 season, where they have done a lot of work on increasing their programming.
That has included increasing availability and access to the facility.
“So everyone has a chance to be part of the pool,” Petek said.
It has also included building capacity with training and mentoring of lifeguards.
Petek said the goal has been to build a foundation for growth and continuous improvement.
Over the last year, they focused on lessons and program quality.
They want to offer a program people want to come to.
They also wish to continue growing the junior lifeguard club, growing advanced courses, training and mentoring new instructors, and becoming a good training facility.
Senior lifeguards Jillian Johnston and Celina Reinhard were present in Lacombe to accept the awards.
“It was awesome,” Johnston said. “It makes me happy for all of the work put into the facility.”
She added it wouldn’t be possible without all the staff covering shifts when others were taking courses and training.
“It’s definitely been a great team effort,” Johnston said.
“It’s a sense of accomplishment,” Reinhard said of the awards, adding she is grateful to be one of the team in Lacombe to accept the awards.
“I have much gratitude,” she added. “And excitement with what the future can bring.”
“These two (Johnston and Reinhard) have put in a lot of effort,” Petek said. “The whole team has.”