“Embracing Responsibility Scholarship” Takes Proactive Approach to Address Staffing Shortages in Aquatics

(RIVERVIEW, NB) - The Town of Riverview is proud to announce the establishment of the Embracing Responsibility Scholarship in Recognition of Barb Hurlbut's Contributions to Aquatics. This new scholarship aims to tackle staffing shortages in Aquatics, bucking trends seen across Canada and in our region, as highlighted in recent years.  

Barb Hurlbut's exceptional dedication as the former Aquatics Supervisor, serving the Town of Riverview for over three decades, has inspired the creation of this scholarship. During her tenure (1980-2012), she mentored over 400 lifeguards, instilling in them the significance of water safety and fostering life-saving abilities among tens of thousands of swimmers.  

The initiative seeks to promote employment, improve retention, and acknowledge Ms. Hurlbut's commitment to Aquatics training, leadership, and development.  

“With the current national lifeguard shortage impacting the aquatics industry post-pandemic, the Embracing Responsibility Scholarship plays a critical role in the Town's proactive recruitment and retention strategies for lifeguards and swim instructors,” says David Shea, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Community Relations at the Town of Riverview. “We’re excited to offer this to our new cohort of lifeguards who will be joining our team this Fall and in the future.”  

Eligibility: 

• The scholarship allocates an annual amount of $2,000 CDN.  
• To be eligible, students must be employed at the Pat Crossman Memorial Aquatic Centre or its future home, the Riverview Recreation Complex. 
• The scholarship is open to Grade 12 students and those pursuing post-secondary education, including individuals who have delayed the start date of their post-secondary journey. 
• Applicants must have worked a minimum of 400 hours per year (8 hours per week) to demonstrate meaningful experience and significant contributions to their roles. 
• Applicants will be required to submit an essay highlighting how they have embraced the responsibilities associated with their job role. The emphasis should be placed on showcasing the profound impact they've made and the leadership skills they have developed during their tenure. This approach aligns with Ms. Hurlbut's strong advocacy for leadership and the core values we uphold. 

The first recipient of the Embracing Responsibility Scholarship will be announced in Spring 2024, marking the beginning of a new era of support for Riverview lifeguards and swim instructors.  

On Tuesday, August 29 there will be a scholarship announcement event held at the Lion Ken Gabbey Outdoor Pool (1 Killarney Rd) at 12 p.m., followed by refreshments and a free Open Swim until 2:30 p.m. Former Riverview lifeguards are welcome to come celebrate the remarkable career of Barb Hurlbut and the establishment of the Embracing Responsibility Scholarship.