Andrea Ornawka, from the Battlefords Coop Aquatic Center is the  Community Champion for the Rivers West District in the category of Outstanding Youth Water Safety Leader.

It was an honor and a pleasure to present Andrea with her award and share a basket of goodies with her team of outstanding Lifeguards during Drowning Prevention Week.

Every community needs Champions; and while the Rivers West District has many, today we thank Andrea for what she has done and what she continues to do to keep our community safe in the water, for inspiring and encouraging young Lifeguards, for stepping up to fill the role as leader when needed and for the work she will no doubt accomplish in recreation the future.

We thank Andrea for allowing us to share her story during Drowning Prevention Week; giving us the opportunity to thank those who commit their time to ensuring safety and fun in our beautiful Rivers West pools!

–Bobbi Hebron, RWD Community Development Coordinator

“Andrea is an exceptional water safety champion whose dedication, leadership, and passion have made a lasting impact at the Battlefords Co-op Aquatic Centre and beyond.

She serves as a Head Team Leader at the facility, where she plays a key role in guiding staff, supporting operations, and ensuring the highest standards of safety and professionalism are upheld.

Andrea brings an impressive range of qualifications to her role, including Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, National Lifeguard, Swim for Life Instructor, Lifesaving Instructor, National Lifeguard Instructor, and First Aid Instructor certifications. Andrea’s commitment to professional growth is ongoing, as she is currently working toward becoming a Red Cross First Aid Teaching Experience Supervisor.

Beyond her credentials, Andrea is a true leader and mentor. She consistently supports and guides younger guards, helping them build confidence, skills, and professionalism in their roles. Her mentorship has strengthened the team and fostered a culture of learning and excellence within the facility. She has also taken on the role of a Bronze Mentor, further contributing to the development of future lifesavers.

Andrea actively teaches a wide range of courses, sharing her expertise and passion for water safety with the community. Her influence can be seen in the many individuals she has trained and inspired.

In addition to her instructional and mentorship roles, Andrea has made significant contributions to facility operations and safety. She implemented effective spreadsheet systems to track incident reports and identify high-risk areas within the facility, helping improve safety awareness and proactive risk management.

Andrea also brings creativity and innovation to her work, consistently generating new ideas for programs that enhance engagement and promote water safety education within the community.

Overall, Andrea exemplifies what it means to be a water safety champion. Her qualifications, leadership as a Head Team Leader, innovation, and unwavering commitment to safety make her an invaluable asset to the aquatic community.”

Pictured L to R: Bobbi Hebron, RWD Community Development Coordinator & Andrea Ornawka