Will County Gazette

Orland Park’s Centennial Park Aquatic Center (CPAC) recently scored a double set of five-star rankings — the highest safety rating possible — for the 2016 season, prompting Village leaders to commend the youthful staff.

“What an honor for these young adults at CPAC,” trustee Pat Gira, who serves as recreation committee chair, said. “It’s been a busy summer at the pool, and the staff has continually shown their commitment to keeping everyone safe by doing great work.”

Not only did the facility score well on two different review occasions, but the audits themselves were unannounced, as officials performed separate risk management audits.

Safety-compliance testing involves an auditor hiding outside of the facility, videotaping the lifeguards without them knowing. The auditor grades the guards’ performances while the guards supervise the pool from their chairs. Once the process is complete, the auditor’s presence is made known, assuring a candid assessment.

The audits and rating were conducted by Starfish Aquatics Institute, one of the largest lifeguard, swim instructor and pool operator-certifying agencies in the U.S.

“We are very proud of the village’s pool staff for earning two more five-star safety ratings this season,” Mayor Dan McLaughlin said. “Everyone at the pool works very hard to make Orland Park’s facility the best.”

Additionally, Orland Park’s aquatic center, located at 15600 West Avenue, was named best public pool for 2016 by Chicago magazine. The facility opened in 1992 during the Village's Centennial Celebration.