Orland Park’s Centennial Park Aquatic Center Earns Top Safety Rating
StarGuard Elite Rates Orland Park Staff 5 Stars
Throughout the summer season, auditors from StarGuard Elite randomly visit the Village of Orland Park’s Centennial Park Aquatic Center (CPAC) to evaluate staff and facility operations. On Sunday, August 9, the organization awarded CPAC staff a 5-star safety rating during their second audit of the 2020 season, the highest rating available from the organization.
“We are very proud of the staff at the aquatic center,” said Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau. “Everyone has a role to play, and they do it extremely well. From the staff at the admissions counters, to the building maintenance and parks staff, to the guards, who keep swimmers safe in such a dynamic environment, all should be commended for a job well done.”
Centennial Park Aquatic Center. Photo courtesy of Ray Hanania
Auditors from StarGuard Elite observed and evaluated lifeguards on duty during the surprise August 9 visit to the facility. The auditors then conduct rescue scenarios to assess the facility’s emergency action plan and the competence of the staff. The review wraps up with an assessment of the risk management practices, policies, and procedures in place at the facility.
“The 5-star rating is a very difficult score to achieve because staff must demonstrate excellence in several different scenarios and criterions,” explained Recreation and Parks Director Ray Piattoni. “We have received more than 30 perfect, 5-star safety ratings over the last ten years at CPAC.”
The accolades come on the heels of an already successful 2020 season during which CPAC staff earned an additional 5-star safety rating. The staff received the highest rating possible during a risk management audit on July 20, 2020.
The facility recently began its 29th season and offers a zero-depth pool with a water play feature, two body speed slides, 328-foot tube slide, a 200-foot flume slide, a platform cliff jump, a drop slide and a lazy river. Reservations are recommended and can be made by visiting https://bit.ly/OpenSwim20.
The Village of Orland Park’s Centennial Park Aquatic Center is located at 15600 West Avenue. Further information about the center is available at www.orlandpark.org.
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
A critic of mainstream news media bias, Hanania advocates for peace & justice for Israel & Palestine, & the empowerment of Arabs in America.
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Hanania's columns are archived on his personal website at RayHanania.com. Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Hanania is President/CEO of Urban Strategies Group which provides communications services to governments and private businesses, and hosts writing training workshops, and publishes books.
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