The Town of Caledon has been recognized for its aquatic lifesaving program by being awarded the Burlington Cup.
The honour comes from the Lifesaving Society, a national organization that leads drowning prevention programs, initiatives, and education across Canada.
The Burlington Cup is awarded to a municipality with the largest lifesaving program in a community with a population between 50,000 and 100,000 in Ontario. The Town of Caledon won the award, in large part, thanks to its free aquatic leadership courses, a program that council strongly endorsed in late 2022 through to 2023. The Town will continue to provide access to training opportunities for all, in Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard and Swim and Lifesaving Instructor courses, where only material and exam fees apply to participants.
“Winning this award is a fantastic endorsement for the effectiveness of our free aquatic leadership program and the efforts of our team to rebuild our staff after COVID,” said Catherine McLean, Commissioner of Community and Human Services. “We are proud of our training program that not only helps keep Caledon safe but contributes to building future leaders in our community. We are thrilled to have been named the winner of the Burlington Cup.”
The free aquatic leadership program provides training and extends water-safe practices to the community. The town says it also has increased the number of candidates for employment with its aquatic division. This has allowed the town to maintain its workforce and continue to offer programs and services at local pools with little interruption.
The town also participates in National Drowning Prevention Week which takes place annually during the third week of July. This initiative promotes ways that families and those responsible for children can enjoy the warm weather while staying safe around water.