About the Awards

SPRA pays tribute annually to individuals and communities who through their efforts and skills have made outstanding and extraordinary contributions to the parks and recreation movement in Saskatchewan.

Nominations are now being accepted, for the 2013 SPRA Awards Program

The Award Categories

A. EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AWARDS 
These four awards are presented to individuals, municipalities or community groups to recognize their valued leadership contributions toward promoting recreation, leisure and healthy active lifestyles in their communities. Recipients are volunteers, professionals, involved citizens, youth, or community groups. Recipients give their time, energy and commitment, developing relationships and partnerships, creating opportunities for recreation, fitness, healthy living and engaging and encouraging others to use parks, open spaces and recreation facilities to achieve a healthy, active lifestyle.

i. Volunteer of the Year Award
Presented to a volunteer to recognize outstanding achievements in the improvement of recreation/leisure opportunities at the local level, including but not limited to, volunteer efforts in the last 12 months. The nominee’s achievements should promote the value and benefits of active living and support a healthier future for their community. Presented to a volunteer or group of volunteers 18 years of age or younger, to recognize outstanding achievements in the improvement of recreation/leisure opportunities at the local level, including but not limited to, volunteer efforts over the last 12 months. The nominee’s achievements should promote the value and benefits of active living and support a healthier future for their community.

ii. Youth Volunteer of the Year Award
Presented to a volunteer or group of volunteers 18 years of age or younger, to recognize outstanding achievements in the improvement of recreation/leisure opportunities at the local level, including but not limited to, volunteer efforts over the last 12 months. The nominee’s achievements should promote the value and benefits of active living and support a healthier future for their community.

iii. Community Achievement Award

Presented to a municipality and/or community group(s) for substantial cooperative community effort with a large volunteer component. The initiative should focus on the important role of volunteers in the development of a recreation program, event, project or park that has, or will enhance the quality of life for a significant number of people in the area.

iv. Fitness Leadership Award

Presented to a current SPRA Certified Fitness Leader who is a strong and successful promoter of fitness and physical activity in their community. The individual demonstrates a healthy, active lifestyle and is a role model for others in the community. The individual must have a minimum of 5 years experience in the fitness industry as an active instructor and advocate for the field.

B. OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
The following Awards are presented to individuals, groups or member organizations for outstanding leadership contributions and accomplishments that have created positive impact on the field of parks and recreation at the community, district, provincial or national level. These award recipients are agents of positive change, who through the development or strengthening of strategy, policy, programs, partnerships, networks and/or relationships, have increased the value people place on recreation and leisure, open spaces, parks, and/or the longevity of the field of parks and recreation.

i. Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award is the most prestigious award presented by SPRA. This Award recipient’s outstanding active and committed leadership, has resulted in a broad contribution to the recreation movement at the national, provincial, district and local level. The individual must have contributed a minimum of 20 years service through participation on committees including, membership on SPRA and/or CPRA Board of Directors and/or related subcommittees, development of partnerships, leaving legacies, and recognition through other awards. Nominations for this award are accepted throughout the year. Please contact SPRA for nomination procedures.

ii. President’s Award of Distinction

The President’s Award of Distinction is one of the most prestigious awards presented by SPRA for contributions to the Recreation Sector at the provincial, district and/or local level. Presented to an individual for their ‘lasting’ achievement that has enhanced the public image and improved the services of parks and recreation provincially, districtly and/or locally. This Award recipient has engaged new partners and stakeholders, strengthening the parks and recreation network. Their efforts have resulted in the continuation of quality and improved service, increased shared advocacy and promoted a strong belief in the benefits of parks and recreation in our province.

iii. Award of Merit

Presented to an individual, group or SPRA member organization for significant and distinguished contribution at the local, district and/or provincial level. The Award recipient has demonstrated creativity through the development of parkland, the promotion of active lifestyles and/or the revitalization of existing or creation of new programs and services. This Award winner’s valued contribution will lead to healthier futures by strengthening some aspect of parks and recreation services.

C. EFFICIENCY AND INNOVATION AWARDS
These Awards are presented to individuals, practitioners, volunteers, organizations or municipalities whose innovation and/or ingenuity has resulted in improvements in the day-to-day operations of recreational facilities. The recipient’s attention to quality, accessibility and participation is evidenced by facilities and operations that are inclusive, attract community members and instill community ownership and pride; thereby contributing to the quality of recreation and leisure in the lives of community members. 

i. Cecil Nobes Facility Award of Excellence
Awarded to a municipality for construction of a new facility, where the unique or outstanding design contributes to the overall efficiency or accessibility of the facility operation component (i.e. functional for public use, efficient operation or maintenance, accessibility for persons with a disability). This award may also be awarded for a retrofit or renovation project that has significantly improved service to users, saved significant operational costs through energy consumption and/or contributed to an overall operational improvement. Note: A recreation facility is defined as indoor or outdoor areas and spaces utilized for recreation (ie. fishing platform, sports complex, archery range, trail, etc.)

Cecil Nobes (1924 - 2009) was a pioneer for recreation facilities in Saskatchewan. Cecil, along with a dedicated team of individuals, are credited with providing an independent provincial voice to meet the needs of facility operators throughout Saskatchewan with the establishment of the Saskatchewan Recreation Facilities Association (SRFA). Cecil offered support and guidance to the SRFA throughout his career, supported funding for retrofitting and new capital projects and assisted in the development of a province-wide training program for recreation facility staff.

ii. Facility Operations Award

This award is given to a long term practitioner or volunteer group whose leadership in the facilities sector demonstrates extraordinary or outstanding achievement in the enhancement or operation of a recreation facility/ facilities in the Province of Saskatchewan. This Award recipient is either an individual or group that goes above and beyond regular job expectations and whose ingenuity and/or good management on a daily basis has increased the efficiency of facility operations and promoted facility development at the local, provincial and/or national level. Possible areas of impact could include maintenance programs, energy efficiency, utilization of volunteers, invention of or innovations to facilities maintenance equipment, innovations or outstanding achievement in general management, staffing programs, increased service, or other areas of positive impact.

iii. Parks and Open Space Award (NEW AWARD CATEGORY!)

This Award recognizes excellence in the planning, design and development/ redevelopment (renewal of an existing space) of a private or public park or open space. Park and open space refers to land that has been reserved for the purpose of formal and informal sport and recreation, preservation of natural environments, provision of green space and/or urban storm water management. This space must have been in existence for a minimum of one year and shall have demonstrated outstanding and/or innovative aspects which have or could have significant impact in the recreation and parks field. Examples of eligible projects include renewal of a trail system, energy conservation (source water protection, etc.), ratio of green space to established property, open spaces (flexible for multiple use), skateboard parks, parks with interpretive features, accessible playgrounds, etc.).