Photo: Town of Essex Community Services staff, Cynthia Cakebread and Sarah Newton, accept the Scarborough Cup from Brian Connors, President of the Lifesaving Society – Ontario Branch   

Essex awarded Scarborough Cup for 8th time

The lifesaving training program offered by the Town of Essex Community Services Department has been recognized once again as the top program in Ontario for its population class.

At the Lifesaving Society Governor’s Awards Gala held March 2 in Toronto, the Town of Essex was recognized and awarded the Scarborough Cup for the municipal affiliate with the largest lifesaving training program in a community with a population between 10,000 and 50,000.

“We are extremely proud to have won the Scarborough Cup for the 8th time,” said Cynthia Cakebread, Manager of Recreation and Culture.

Essex placed in the top 10 in each of the other qualifying categories:

• 2nd for the R. Bredin Stapells Cup (single affiliate largest leadership program per capita);
• 7th for the Arnold H. Morphy Cup (single facility with largest lifesaving/leadership program);
• 6th for the John E. McCutcheon Bowl (single facility with largest first aid program); and
• Swim to Survive® Award (for providing Swim to Survive® training, in partnership with board of education partners, to 87% of target population).

The Town of Essex is one of only six areas in Ontario to achieve the Swim to Survive® target.

The Lifesaving Society (LSS) is regarded as the leader in the delivery of water safety and leadership throughout Canada and around the world, operating globally in over 40 countries. The LSS is a national organization whose provincial branch is composed of over 500 affiliated municipalities, private businesses, schools and clubs. Annually, the LSS – Ontario Branch awards points to affiliates based on the total number of certifications and awards that are delivered within their community. At the end of the year all points are tabulated and awards are distributed to winners in categories based on population, total number of facilities, and further broken down by specific certification with awards distributed to the winners of each category.

The Town of Essex offers a full complement of lifesaving and leadership programs for all ages and abilities. If you would like more information on educational and certification programs, please contact Cynthia Cakebread at the Essex Recreation Complex (519-776-8992).