Village of Orland Park's Aquatic Center Earns Third Five Star Award

The Village of Orland Park Centennial Park Aquatic Center (CPAC) earned five star awards for all three of its risk management audits for the 2013 season. The Starfish Aquatics Institute (SAI) awarded the village’s water park a third five star award following an unannounced risk management audit on July 31.

The Starfish Aquatics Institute is one of the largest lifeguard, swim instructor and pool operator certifying agencies in the United States. The institute’s certification program provides pool, water park and restricted waterfront lifeguards skills exceeding nationally recognized standards. Using a combined curriculum of emergency skills, lifeguards are trained to protect life or prevent further injury until emergency medical personnel arrive.

Swimming facilities are tested on a surprise basis with the auditor anonymously observing from outside of the facility. While the guards supervise the pool from their chairs, the auditor evaluates and grades the guards’ performances.

“The village’s aquatic center has been very busy with the hot weather,” said Mayor Dan McLaughlin. “And, we are very proud of the pool staff for their hard work and for earning five star awards for all three safety audits this season,” he said.

Once the hidden audit is completed, the auditor then selects guards, team leaders and squad leaders to respond to mock emergency scenarios.

“These kids are the best of the best,” said Trustee Pat Gira, chair of the village’s Recreation and Parks Committee. “They’ve had a pretty busy summer and keeping an eye on things at the pool is not an easy task. We are very proud of the entire staff at the village’s aquatic center,” she said.

“Very few aquatic facilities qualify to receive this honor,” said Leslie Donavan, President of SAI. “It represents a tremendous commitment to safety and training, and exceptional performance by the lifeguard staff on duty at the time.”

“We are very proud to have the Village of Orland Park as a member of the SAI family and that they have chosen to train their staff using our programs,” said Donavan. “We also commend them for participating in the StarReview Audit Program and believe our focus on professionalism and accountability gives our providers the opportunity to lead the industry in effective and safe programming,” she said.

The Village of Orland Park’s Centennial Park Aquatic Center is located at 15600 West Avenue and is open daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Further information about the center is available by calling 708/349-4FUN or the village's Recreation Department at 708/403-PARK.