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Lyle Campbell. (Submitted photo/SARP)
Honorary Life Award

Former Carrot River and Melfort resident receives Saskatchewan Association of Recreation Professionals Honorary Life Award

Sep 29, 2021 | 5:32 PM

Lyle Campbell is this year’s successful recipient of the 2021 Honorary Life Award.

Campbell was born and raised in Carrot River and after graduating post-secondary school in Saskatoon, he moved to Melfort. He was Melfort’s first-ever Community Leadership and Programs Coordinator.

Campbell mentioned that his time spent with SARP has been exactly what he wanted in life, having been so involved in sports and recreation since he was in high school, and that winning this award was just a cherry on top.

“For me, it’s certainly more than just a job. I’ve chosen it as my career path and I certainly still enjoy it. You certainly don’t go into an industry like this expecting to win all kinds of awards, but I am very certainly very grateful and very humbled by an award like this.”

Campbell was also sure to point out, what an honour it was, a surprise too he added, to receive recognition like this from his colleagues and that he also couldn’t have done it without their help and support.

“Number one, it was a surprise,” said Campbell. “I do like to think that we make a difference with those communities and organizations that we work with and I’m certainly proud of the staff that I work with currently and have with over the past few years, as well.”

“You don’t get something like this on your own. It certainly takes a team of people to do it and I’m very grateful for that. I think anytime that you’re recognized by colleagues and your peers, it’s very special and I’m very grateful for the award and I just hope that I can continue to do what I’m doing for the next few years.”

Campbell was nominated by Helen Meekins and Crystal Clarke and has been a member of SARP since 1986. He has also played an active role on the SARP Board of Directors, sat on varying committees over his 35 years as a member and was previously the chair of the John Austin Foundation Committee.

Campbell is currently the executive director for the Lakeland District for Sport, Culture and Recreation and has been in this role since 2008. He has sat as an adjudicator for provincial funding and was heavily involved with the amalgamation process of the Regional Recreation Associations and Zone Sports Councils. This was through the Building Better Communities initiative which has created what we now known as Lakeland District and the six other Sport, Culture and Recreation Districts in the province.

He was a board member of the North East Recreation and Parks Association or NERPA, has sat on Health Promotions Task committees and has been a strong advocate for the benefits of recreation at the local and provincial level.

Annually, the Saskatchewan Association of Recreation Professionals (SARP) recognizes dedicated leaders in the recreation industry that are members in good standing with the association.

The Honorary Life Award is given to an individual who has been a member of SARP for a minimum of 10 years, has provided valuable services and outstanding contributions towards the aims and objectives of the Association and who has contributed toward the promotion and furtherance of recreation in Saskatchewan or Canada. This is SARP’s most prestigious award.

Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8

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