Debbie Schlick has dedicated her professional career — more than 40 years — to the City of Prince George aquatics team.
Schlick announced her retirement in May, marked with a celebration at the Canfor pool in recognition of her years of service.
Over her four decades with the city, Schlick served as a lifeguard, swimming instructor, mentor and aquatic coordinator. Her unwavering commitment to aquatics earned her the nickname “pool mom” from many in the community.
Schlick met her husband at the aquatic centre and told The Citizen it has always felt like a second home.
“I’ve really lived at the pool my whole life,” said Schlick. “All four of my daughters have also worked at the pool. Three of them have been lifeguards — one still is — and one works as a cashier. It’s also taken them to many places through their university experiences.
“I just love aquatics. I love water safety. I love having that impact on the public by sharing knowledge about how to stay safe around the water, especially in our community.”
Schlick said she is particularly moved by stories of how her lessons in water safety have helped save lives.
“Several years ago, one of our customers — a fairly young child — saved their sibling who had fallen into water near a culvert. They said they used what they learned in our lessons to help their sibling,” she said.
“Even my brother told me he used what I taught him to save a woman from drowning in the ocean while he was on vacation in Cuba.
“My favourite story, though, is about a woman who came to me for private lessons as an adult. She was so afraid of water she wouldn’t even go in the shower. I taught her for several years — once a week — and by the end, she was actually snorkelling.”
Schlick said one of the most heartwarming parts of her career has been watching her students and colleagues grow and succeed.
“A lot of our staff start working for us around Grade 11,” she said. “It’s amazing to watch them develop — it’s a very responsible job, and they gain confidence, communication skills and experience working with the public.
“Many of them have come back to thank us and share how working in aquatics helped shape their careers. Some have gone on to become paramedics, doctors, RCMP officers, teachers, nurses — so many different paths. They often tell us the experience gave them a huge boost.”
Schlick plans to spend her retirement gardening and travelling. She told The Citizen she spent her first day of retirement buying plants.
She also plans to spend more time at her family’s cabin on Norman Lake, with her new grandchild and her 97-year-old mother.
After decades of service, Schlick said the nickname “pool mom” feels fitting.
“I love it,” she said. “I feel like I’m a mother to all those staff. In my role, I learned so much about them — their challenges, school schedules and more. They’d come to me for help or advice, and I’d do my best to guide them. They definitely treated me like their pool mom.”
