Derek Kaye,
Castlegar News contributor
Since last September Bob Everett has been head life guard at the Castlegar Aquatic Centre. Right from the get-go his mission seemed not only to run a tight ship (he had started his working life in the Canadian Navy), but to get to know everybody on a first name basis as fast as possible. He was not trying to win friends but actually showed a genuine interest in the clientele of the Castlegar pool. Helpful, likable, inspiring, and encouraging are a few of the words that are well-suited to this retired gentleman who still prefers to work.
Everett is a swim instructor and physical education teacher from London Ontario who, once retired, would contract himself out from Whitehorse to Southern Ontario for continued work. But now he is going to take a break to work on some body parts that are in need of repair.
The Castlegar News caught up with Bob on his last day of work at the Castlegar Aquatic Centre on Saturday March 29. He told us, “I loved working here, because of the great staff...get a lot of compliments from the patrons, how professional the staff is. Water quality and the maintenance staff are excellent here. They keep this place nice and clean and open for the patrons, so it’s great.” He added, “I love the freedom of going around and doing contracts.” Would you ever come back here to Castlegar? “Yeah, if I had the chance, if there were openings. The world is an oyster for me.”