South Australia honours aquatic, fitness, parks and recreation projects and professionals

Mount Gambier Aquatic Centre's Bio Mass Boiler and Adelaide City Council’s Active Ambassador Program have been presented with awards recognising their outstanding achievements by peak body Recreation South Australia (Recreation SA).

The Awards were made during the recent combined South Australian Aquatics, Parks and Recreation Conference at Adelaide's Morphettville Racecourse, presented jointly by Recreation SA and Parks and Leisure Australia SA/NT.

The Awards, sponsored by Links Modular Solutions, were presented in the following categories:

Aquatics Innovation Award

Mount Gambier Aquatic Centre's Bio Mass Boiler project was recognised for the innovation that has improved the economic and environmental performance of the facility, as well as increasing social benefits through support of the local economy.

Aquatics Industry Person of the Year

Shane Ince was named Aquatics Industry Person of the Year for his exceptional work and commitment to improving and advancing the aquatics industry in South Australia. Ince has trained and certified around 500 Pool Operators in South Australia to obtain their Pool Operator Certificate, as well as volunteering his time on committees that support the industry.

Fitness Initiatives Award

Metropolitan: Adelaide City Council’s Active Ambassador Program was recognised for its accessibility and for encouraging community involvement in providing and marketing free/low cost physical activity opportunities. The program has been used by over 2,200 people in the last 10 months.

Regional: Presented to Orroroo Community Gym for initiatives that have significantly increased senior involvement to now make up 65% of gym users.

Excellence in Recreation Planning Projects Award

The City of Tea Tree Gully was recognised for their Excellence in Recreation Planning Projects showing high standards in planning, design, community involvement, maintenance reductions, improved aesthetic value, usability, accessibility and versatility in the Modbury Sporting Complex Master Plan Project.

Commenting on the Awards, Recreation SA President Phil Sinnott “the standard of the awards has been getting better each year.

"It is great to see the industry striving to continually improve its standards, capabilities and capacity. The diversity shown throughout regional and metropolitan programs recognises this. ”

Interview opportunity is available from Recreation SA. Recreation SA is able to provide contact details for award recipients upon request.

Following the conference, Parks and Leisure Australia SA/NT conducted its own Awards of Excellence Gala Dinner at which the following Awards were presented:

Award for Events: City of Campbelltown – Flavours of Campbelltown Food Trail

Award for Inclusive and Connected Communities: District Council of Mount Barker – Connected Communities at Laratinga Wetland Reserve

Award for Leisure Facilities: Adelaide Shores – Adelaide Shores Football Centre

Award for Open Space Planning (Strategic Planning for Open Space): District Council of Mount Barker – Mount Barker Open Space, Recreation and Public Realm

Award for Parks and Open Space Development (Design and Management): City of Marion – Oaklands Wetland and Open Space Development

Award for Sustainable Initiatives: City of Marion – Oaklands Park Wetland and Stormwater Reuse Scheme

Award for Use of Technology: Adelaide City Council – Active Ambassador Program

Award for Parks and Open Space Development (Design and Management): City of Marion – Oaklands Wetland and Open Space Development

Playspace Awards: Under $250,000: WAX Design – Sunden Sensory Play Space

$250,000 - $1,000,000: City of Marion – Glade Crescent Reserve Playspace

Recreation SA can be contacted on 08 8332 2288, E: admin@recreationsa.org

1st April 2014 - SOUTH AUSTRALIA/NORTHERN TERRITORY CONFERENCE TO PRESENT IDEAS TO 'TRANSFORM' LEISURE

29th March 2014 - CITY OF ADELAIDE BACKS ‘ACTIVE AMBASSADOR’ PROGRAM

24th March 2014 - MOUNT GAMBIER AQUATIC CENTRE BIOMASS BOILER AN INDUSTRY FIRST