2024 Award Recipients
Annually, the Saskatchewan Association of Recreation Professionals (S.A.R.P.) recognizes dedicated leaders in the recreation industry that are members in good standing with the Association.
We are excited to announce the well-deserving award recipients of 2024!
Honorary Life Award (posthumous) - Sheila Hryniuk
It is with a mix of pride and deep reflection that we award Sheila Hryniuk the S.A.R.P. Honorary Life Award. While we wish this recognition had come during her lifetime, we honour Sheila’s memory by celebrating the extraordinary contributions she made to the field of recreation in Saskatchewan.
Sheila’s journey began in 1991 after earning her Diploma in Recreation & Leisure from SIAST. Her first role, with the Saskatchewan Recreation Society (now SARP), marked the beginning of a remarkable career. Sheila’s dedication and drive led her from an administrative role to becoming a Program Development Consultant. She furthered her education, earning a degree in Physical Activity Studies from the University of Regina in 1997, which paved the way for a distinguished career in the non-profit sport, culture, and recreation sector.
In east central Saskatchewan, Sheila’s versatility shone through in various roles, from Trans-Canada Trail Coordinator to Saskatchewan Summer Games Manager. In 2007, she became the Executive Director of the Parkland Valley Sport, Culture, and Recreation District, a role she held with dedication until her passing.
Sheila was more than a professional; she was a true advocate for active living and community well-being. Sheila’s leadership extended to serving as Chair of S.A.R.P., where she left an indelible mark on the profession she loved. Her commitment to her community, her profession, and her family was unwavering.
Sheila’s passion for recreation, her calm and professional demeanor, and her willingness to mentor others made her a beloved figure in her community. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched, and we will never forget her smile, her laughter, and the positive impact she made.
We are forever grateful for Sheila’s contributions to the field of recreation and to the lives of those who knew her.
Award of Merit - Lynne Lacroix
We are thrilled to honour Lynne Lacroix’s remarkable 42-year career with the City of Saskatoon, where her leadership and dedication have profoundly shaped our recreation community.
Through her many roles, most recently as the General Manager of Community services, Lynne has consistently emphasized collaboration, making Saskatoon a better place to live, work, learn, and play
Lynne’s career highlights include formalizing a key partnership with the Meewasin Valley Authority, pioneering the e-permitting system for building and development, and creating the Vehicles for Hire Bylaw.
Lynne was also instrumental in opening major community facilities, such as Nutrien Wonderhub, Optimist Hill Winter Recreation Park, and the Gordie Howe Sports Complex, as well as establishing three new Urban Reserves.
Lynne’s legacy is further enriched by her work on the Urban Forestry Management Plan, which introduced the Tree Protection Bylaw, and her leadership in securing over $41 million in federal funding for affordable housing. She also led the development of the City’s Cultural Plan, Recreation & Parks Master Plan, and Facilities Game Plan, leaving an indelible mark on Saskatoon’s future.
As Lynne retires in July 2024, her career stands as a testament to what it means to be a recreation professional devoted to community service. Congratulations, Lynne, on an outstanding career! Your contributions will continue to inspire and benefit others for years to come.
If you require any further information, please contact the provincial office at:
(306) 693-7277 or email office@sarponline.ca
