PENINSULA Aquatic Recreation Centre (PARC) in Frankston has again been re-accredited with Life Saving Victoria’s (LSV’s) prized Platinum Pool Award.
In doing so, the facility continues to hold its exclusive position among just 40 Victorian aquatic facilities currently holding the accreditation in the leisure centre category.
Platinum Pool status is awarded to aquatic facilities providing outstanding levels of safety. To achieve the award PARC had to undertake a rigorous series of assessments to ensure it met all of LSV’s criteria for the accreditation.
Passing with an incredible Compliance Score of 100 per cent the award provides recognition for the tireless work the facility has put into keeping PARC safe, staff training and education, and the facility’s rigorous Watch Around Water practices.
Peninsula Leisure‘s Operations Manager Jarrah Wynne said the award is a great demonstration of Peninsula Leisure’s commitment to safety and excellence.
He added that Peninsula Leisure‘s dedicated staff are to thank for the accreditation.
Mr Wynne said: “Our team are so committed to keeping our community safe and active. The audit is so important and to pass with such amazing results is a significant achievement and phenomenal team effort.
“There are around 550 public swimming pools in Victoria, so to be in the top 40, the top of those in the state, is something we and our community are really proud of.”
LSV Manager – Aquatic Industry Services, Alek Olszewski, said the award recognises those facilities that have attained the highest level of safety requirements and standards.
“Platinum Pool accreditation really is reserved for the best of the best, and so I congratulate PARC on their strong safety protocols and newly-minted platinum accreditation that will ensure guests are able to make the most of the new facility to learn lifelong water safety skills,” Mr Olszewski said.
“Receiving the accreditation is difficult enough, let alone maintaining it, so we look forward to working together to ensure the pool continues to prosper in adhering to our industry code of practice for the benefit of the community.”
To receive the award, PARC had to follow industry leading Pool Safety Assessment, a six-monthly assessment on implementation, Mystery Guest Visits and adherence to the best practice ‘Watch Around Water’ child supervision program. The accreditation is valid for 12 months.
On top of this Award, the group’s outdoor seasonal pool, Pines Forest Aquatic Centre in Frankston North, scored a ‘Silver’ endorsement in the Victorian Public Pools Register.
Mr Wynne said: “We are thrilled to receive this result – it’s very pleasing.”
He stressed the safety and wellbeing of all members, visitors and staff is always paramount, adding: “We are always looking for innovative ways to deliver safety messaging and training, and this re-imagination is clearly paying dividends to our community.”
Peninsula Leisure Pty Ltd is a subsidiary company wholly owned by Frankston City Council and is charged with the management of Council’s two aquatic facilities, PARC and Pines Forest Aquatic Centre.