MacDonald Island Park

A typical work day goes by very quickly. Every single day you earn something new, no matter how long you've been working there; you are encountered a different obstacle everyday. Management there isn't the best at times because they cover such a large base because they have to take care of many more departments in the sports and recreation department, not just the aquatics department,but they also try their best to be the most helpful possible and find temporarily solutions to any issues. Since the majority of our staff are under the age of 30, we're all innovative, creative and all live healthy active lifestyles. Everyone there is friendly,outgoing and approachable so work isn't boring to attend because we truly are one team. The hardest part of the job is the physical and fitness part. You're on your feet for a solid 6 hours constantly walking in circles and every month the managers release a mandatory fitness challenge which is generally quite difficult to ensure our fitness levels stay high enough incase of an emergency that could occur in the aquatics centre. And overall the most enjoyable part is working with people who are very much alike you, have the same goals and live very similar lifestyles.

Both my boss and my CAO helped me grow my career and let us try our hands at almost any task (even outside our department). They encouraged the team to think outside the box and welcomed (and often used) feedback from any employee regardless of their position. I think the CAO knew every employee by name and there were well over 100. 

During my time there, other similar organizations heard of our successes and frequently came to tour and learn from our methods. Even media companies (like ESPN) noticed our successes and reported on them. Our organization could make pretty much anything happen successfully. Our department was not unionized so we had the advantage of getting rewarded whenever we went above and beyond AND they noticed when we did. For unionized departments it was more difficult to reward the best of the best but I still saw it happen frequently. It wasn't perfect and there were days of frustration and some days the work load was heavy and budgets were limited but it was fun and I rarely had a Monday where I wasn't eager to go to work. Easily one of the most enjoyable jobs I've had. 

Our family moved from the region and I've heard that the CAO has since left so I'm unsure if the experience remains the same.

A typical day at work is full of fun, productivity and usually stress-free.

I've learned that I have a bit of OCD when it comes to cleansliness. I've been trained on a Floor Scrubber, through a Fire Warden and Customer Service course, as well as First Aid/CPR.

My co-workers are absolutely AMAZING and that is why I'm so content working there. We're not just a 'crew' or department', we're close enough to be considered family and have so much fun working together. I'm not making that up either.

Honestly, our job isn't hard at all because we're motivated to get the job done when it needs to be and won't stop until it is. We work as a team if it's 'too difficult', and that's why I don't think anything about it is hard. We are busy during big concerts or on New Years, but we get it done without stressing out.

The most enjoyable part of the job is getting to work with my friends, for me that is. We laugh, we smile, we goof off and we ALWAYS get our jobs done.

A typical day included watching over the pool deck, which meant walking for long hours and keeping an eye on the patrons in the pool. We also cleaned the facility regularly, including the bathrooms, change rooms, and pool area. Checking pool chemicals was also a regular part of the job. My co-workers and management were great and taught me a lot while working there. The most enjoyable part would be the learning experience, and getting along with my co-workers. The hardest part of working there was knowing that others' lives were in my hands, which was definitely a stressful factor. This helped me learn to focus on the task at hand, and it really put my education in the health & safety industry to use.

Mac Island was by far one of the best places I have ever worked! a typical day consisted of joking around with friends and doing a job that makes a difference, what more could u ask for? The hardest part of the job was having to deal with screaming children all day long, but this was easily overlooked when you realized you were standing next to a pool all day instead of outside bracing the elements. The co-workers i had when i worked there are still some of my closest friends a year later, overall i would reccomend to anybody to at least apply. What have you got to lose?

The money was good and same with the hours. I was able to pickup as many shifts as I wanted and managing 2 jobs with their flexibility was super easy and stress free. My co workers where super nice but there is A TON of people who work there and there was always tons of stupid drama that I didn’t want to deal with. Some of the managers where also quite brutal sometimes. The rotations are every 15mins which can make for a very long day if there is a lot of lifeguards there. 

It was fun when it first opened just the exvitment of it all. People that were in positions that shouldnt have been made life miserable for some. I was there becaise i lived aquatics - wasnt there for money or the advnacement oure love of Aquatics!

I spent my whole life trying to figure out what I wanted to do, When I started working at MacDonald Island I found myself.  The staff and perks are amazing, and the things that they do at this facility will blow your mind.

unfortunately the management at Macdonald Island is pretty poor. get ready for grievances and the like. Other than management it is a great place to work. People like to talk and gossip so watch out for that too!

fun but cant move up the chain. 
low hours per by weekly

learnt how to save money not knowing when i shall work next
co-workers are the best people they keep you smiling no matter how bad your day is

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