Last summer we reported on the announcement that the Chestermere Rotary Club would be building a Life Jacket Loaner Station in Anniversary Park. The concept of the life jacket station is based on the goodwill of the public in that life jackets are there to use, and it’s the hope of everyone that had a hand in this, that the life jackets will be returned to the station when the user is done with them.
The Lifesaving Society provided some statistics that show in 2014 Alberta had 28 preventable water-related deaths with a total of 308 in Canada for 2014. Their report also states that the average age of drowning victims in Canada between 2008 and 2012 was 42.8 years. The highest death rates in 2008–2012 were found among young adults aged 20 to 34 years and seniors 65 and older (both 1.7 per 100,000 population), similar to the previous five-year period (2003–2007). Within these age ranges, the age groups with the highest death rates were 20- to 24-year-olds and 80- to 84-year-olds (both 2.0 per 100,000 population). Moreover, 20- to 24-year-olds had the largest number of drowning deaths (228) of all age groups.
Natural bodies of water such as lakes and ponds were where 39% of these deaths occurred. So it is important that we keep those that use our lake safe. A lifeguard does not man Chestermere Lake and it is not mandatory to wear a life jacket – so initiatives like the life jacket shack are a great asset to our community.
On May 18th, 2016 the Chestermere Rotary Club held their ribbon cutting ceremony at Anniversary Park at the Life Jacket Loaner Station. Members of the Chestermere Rotary Club were on hand along with Mayor Matthews and other members of council, members of the RCMP and Chestermere Fire Services.
There were many to thank for helping make this a success:
- Rona – Ron Jossul gave provided a $100 certificate towards the purchase of materials
- City of Chestermere Parks Department – provided assistance and approvals to get the project approvals in place
- Lardon Rentals in Strathmore – provided the free use of the post hole auger to dig the holes for the posts
- Along the Lake Landscaping – Maury and his crew cemented in the posts
- Eternity Roofing – Jeff and his crew donated the materials and installed the roof
- LDRC Graphics – Larry Blais designed and created the Rotary Banner
- Lifesaving Society – Provided all the banners and design ideas
Life Jackets were generously provided by:
- Caroline Godin
- Chestermere Angels – Diana
- Chestermere Landing – John and Helen Kittler
The life jackets are not at the station for use by the public, just please remembers to put them back when you are finished with them so that someone else can use them.
If you could like to donate life jackets to the Chestermere Rotary Life Jacket Loaner Station, please contact a member of the Chestermere Rotary Club at rotarychestermere@gmail.com
