Peninsula Leisure wins two prestigious Aquatics & Recreation Victoria Awards

The Pines Forest Aquatic Centre has won the Facility Management Award (Seasonal) at the recent Aquatics & Recreation Victoria (ARV) Awards, with Tabitha Cauchy from Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre (PARC) awarded Swim Teacher of the Year.

It’s the second year in a row PARC has taken out the Swim Teacher of the Year category at the state’s prestigious award ceremony, and the first time the Pines has been recognised at state level for the facility’s outstanding engagement with the community and introduction of innovative new programs and events for patrons throughout the summer season.

The Pines opened its season early in November 2017, and encouraged members and visitors to reengage with its facility by introducing aqua aerobics, upgrading the change rooms with accessible facilities, and offering regular free family events and fun weekend activities (i.e. additional inflatables).

Peninsula Leisure CEO Tim Gledhill said the industry recognition is great reward for Frankston City Council, the hard-working Pines staff and the local community whom warmly embrace the facility every summer.

“We are thrilled to be recognised as industry leaders by ARV. At the Pines we are focused on delivering exceptional experiences and achieved outstanding results last summer, with the introduction of new events, including Free Family Fridays and Sunday Fun Days, in addition to reducing entry fees by 25% to ensure the facility is accessible for all,” Tim said.

The Pines Operations Manager Marc Mackellin said the team focuses on maintaining a high level of service to allow all members of the community an opportunity to engage with each other, improve their health and fitness and remain connected to their local community.

“We will continue to strive to be a place of acceptance, inclusion and enjoyment, particularly for those in our community that require the greatest assistance. Our total attendance has grown by 18% and casual attendance grew a further 8% last season, totaling 56% growth in two years,” Marc said.

PARC has won the state Swim Teacher of the Year award three times over the last four years.

“Our vision is to ensure that every child in Frankston City can swim by the time they reach high school so we pride ourselves on employing highly skilled and passionate swim teachers.  I congratulate our very own Victorian Swim Teacher of the Year Tabitha Cauchy on her state honour and for her tireless work towards assisting PARC achieve this important goal.”

“Tabitha is a great asset to our team, and she goes above and beyond to assist her students and colleagues. She connects and engages with everyone she meets. She is calm, adaptable, very modest and so likeable – a true quiet achiever!” Tim said.

The Pines will reopen on 1 November 2018. For more information on the Pines please visit pinesfrankston.com.au