An agreement between the Towns of Okotoks and Turner Valley will have Okotoks personnel assisting in operations and management at the Dr. Lander Memorial Pool.

Okotoks' Aquatics Team Lead Daniel Robinson says the idea comes from employees working at both facilities in the past.

"One of the reasons that we, as Okotoks, said 'yes, let's look at this,' is to create the efficiency within the limited resourcing of staffing within the region. What we typically see is a lot of Okotoks staff and Turner Valley staff working at both facilities during the season, and that's what I believe is one of the reasons Turner Valley looked to us to start with."

The three-year contract will see lifeguard staff working in both towns, with booking services also being shared.

Robinson says it'll reduce redundancies that were present before.

"The efficiency comes with training and reducing the amount of administration time in terms of one employee working at both facilities. With us managing employees for both facilities, it reduces duplication in those administration efforts."

According to the town, the agreement won't have an effect on Okotoks taxpayers, with Turney Valley providing compensation for associated costs like training and admin.

The project would also provide additional hours for employees during the summer months, but won't see Okotoks' Aquatic Centre staff spread thinly over both locations.

Robinson says the agreement signifies a strong partnership between communities and fits with Okotoks' goals of becoming a regional hub.

"We are looking to be a regional service provider and we have been that all along at the Aquatic Centre, especially among our mandate for drowning prevention. We've always looked for ways that we can increase our message out to the community-at-large about water safety and drowning prevention, and we do that a lot through the Life Saving Society of Alberta. This, to us, is one more way to increase our message and provide that to the community."

 

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