Our mandate is your mandate
Our service directive “our mandate is your mandate” highlights our philosophy to listen to your needs and create customized solutions to your specific requirements, while building lasting relationships within your community, remaining fiscally responsible, and achieving your bottom-line budget goals.
We provide a full spectrum of services and we are dedicated to working with you, your management, staff, committee members, and patrons to meet the individual needs and desires for your unique community.
Let us know what you need and we will create customized solutions to meet your specific requirements. Call us today!
Our history
In 1999, Tom was the General Manager and Kathy was a Lifeguard and sought-after Water Safety Instructor at the Surrey Sport and Leisure Centre. At that time, they formed a company called Rec Pro which in a year’s time morphed into Recreation Excellence, a company they have owned and grown together since.
Today, Recreation Excellence manages and operates multiple facilities in Western Canada. With 300+ staff, the company serves hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. And the best part, according to Tom, is that he is still able to pass on the legacy of the Watsons and Jay Markovich to the staff and patrons of the facilities Recreation Excellence manages.
Tom and Kathy are passionate about Recreation Excellence, its staff, and the communities it serves. The success of the company is based on the roots of why it was formed: to serve people in caring ways so that they, too, can enjoy breakthroughs and life enhancing moments as they live their lives.
Our mission
Our mission statement “serious about fun” captures our company’s philosophy.
We are serious about working with and assisting clients in the provision of safe, well-maintained atmospheres – both buildings and programs – while delivering fun-filled, memory making experiences which touch people’s lives in positive ways and keep people of all ages returning to your facilities.
Our core service values
The core values that guide our business:
- Safety: We provide safe services and safe spaces.
- Appreciation: We inspire individuals to appreciate their innate worth.
- Caring: We foster a culture of caring, kindness, and giving.
- Learning: We create opportunities for people to experience the joy of learning.
As Recreation Excellence’s official fun-bunnies, Rowdy Rabbit and Rowdine Rabbit know how to have fun!
People ask us... what's with the mascots?
Here’s the thing… we are in the business of fun. Walt Disney created a legacy of fun with the creation of his little mouse that evolved into a multi-million-dollar business, based on fun.
Our mascots, Rowdy and Rowdine, bring a little bit of that Disney feel to children, families, seniors, staff, and the facilities that we operate. As masters of fun, they also help build a happy and creative corporate culture.
Over the years, Rowdy and Rowdine have brought smiles to thousands of faces. They make special appearances on: signage, marketing materials, social media, communication boards, activity cards, posters, brochures, colouring pages, sandwich boards, and even as real, live mascots!
Recognized by children of all ages, Rowdy and Rowdine have become a Recreation Excellence phenomenon.
Ready to meet them? Coming soon to a community near you…
Rowdy & Rowdine Rabbit
As Recreation Excellence’s official fun-bunnies, Rowdy Rabbit and Rowdine Rabbit know how to have fun!
People ask us... what's with the mascots?
Here’s the thing… we are in the business of fun. Walt Disney created a legacy of fun with the creation of his little mouse that evolved into a multi-million-dollar business, based on fun.
Our mascots, Rowdy and Rowdine, bring a little bit of that Disney feel to children, families, seniors, staff, and the facilities that we operate. As masters of fun, they also help build a happy and creative corporate culture.
Over the years, Rowdy and Rowdine have brought smiles to thousands of faces. They make special appearances on: signage, marketing materials, social media, communication boards, activity cards, posters, brochures, colouring pages, sandwich boards, and even as real, live mascots!
Recognized by children of all ages, Rowdy and Rowdine have become a Recreation Excellence phenomenon.
Ready to meet them? Coming soon to a community near you…
Supporting charities
Recreation Excellence is active in supporting the following nonprofit and sport organizations:
- Alberta Association of Aquatic Professionals
- Alberta Recreation Facility Personnel
- Alberta Recreation and Parks Association
- BC Recreation Foundation
- BC Leisure Development Course
- BCRPA – BC Recreation and Parks Association
- Canadian Red Cross
- CPRA – Canadian Parks and Recreation Association
- Engage Sport North
- Lifesaving Society
- Indigenous Physical Activity and Culture Conference
- Recreation Foundation of British Columbia
Some of our charitable initiatives are:
- Fundraising and financing the construction of 56 homes in Zambia
- Sponsoring well-digging projects in Kenya
- Distributing more than 5,000 pairs of eyeglasses to Haiti
- Building homes in Mexico with Homes of Hope
- Building homes in Costa Rica with Habitat for Humanity
- UCalgary Lifeguard Games
- University of Lethbridge – Swim for Africa foundation
- Wilson Middle School – Lethbridge, Alberta
- Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce – Family Services Angel Tree Campaign
- Salvation Army of Hazelton – Christmas Hamper Program
Our awards
- 2022 Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Award Winner – Marketing
- 2021 A-List Readers’ Favourites Chilliwack’s Finest award
- 2021 Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Awards Nomination
- 2020 A-List Readers’ Favourites Chilliwack’s Finest award
- 2020 Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Awards Nomination
- 2019 A-List Readers’ Favourite Chilliwack’s Finest award – Favourite Swimming Pool
- 2018 Peter Legge Philanthropist Of The Year award
- 2018 Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce Inclusive Employer award
- 2018 Rotary at Work award – Inclusive Employer
- 2017 SOS Children’s Village International award by Mike “Pinball” Clemons
- 2017 Rotary at Work award – Inclusive Employer for over 10 years
- 2016 Rotary at Work award – Inclusive Employer
- 2015 Chilliwack Times Readers Choice awards – Favourite Fitness Centre
- 2015 Canadian Red Cross Humanitarian award
- 2013 North American Excellence in Commerce award
- 2012 Canadian Red Cross Humanitarian award
- 2012 Red Cross Partners in Humanity Citation
