Having developed a feel for the water at a young age, Hilary Knowles has proven she had what it takes to go the distance – in and out of the pool.
Knowles is diving into the next stage of her life, retiring after more than four decades of work at Canada Games Pool. The Burnaby resident started working at Canada Games Pool as a lifeguard in 1974 and became the city’s aquatics manager in 1997.
Born in Montreal in 1956, Knowles’ family moved to Burnaby in 1965. Since that time she’s made her mark in the pool as a lifeguard and aquatics manage, as well as a water polo player. She is in the Canadian Aquatic Hall of Fame in Winnipeg at the Pan Am Pool, having been inducted as a member of Canada’s women’s water polo team that won the world championships in 1981.
Knowles retirement comes as the City of New Westminster plans for the replacement of Canada Games Pool – the city’s busiest parks and recreation facility – and Centennial Community Centre. Before she closed the door on this chapter of her life, the Record connected with her about her career and future plans.
Q: Have you always been interested in the water? Lifeguarding?
A: I would say yes. Once I was involved with swimming and water polo and you are around water all the time, the enjoyment you get, I felt like it was a great fit.
Q: How did you end up working at Canada Games Pool?
A: I actually was hired in Burnaby first, however my brother worked there and there was a family policy so the next day I went to New Westminster and got hired.
Q: When you started working there, did you aspire to rise up the ranks to manage the facility?
A: At the time I was happy teach and guarding, however an opportunity presented itself to work into a supervisor job so I decided to take it and never looked back.
Q: How did you get involved in water polo? What did you enjoy about it?
A: I was in Grade 11 and was thinking about doing something else so I tried water polo and was hooked. I love the team aspect, strategic piece to playing a game, travel, meeting players from all over the world – to name a few of the reasons,.
Q: What have you enjoyed about working for the City of New Westminster for 43 years?
A: There are too many things to talk about: the customers, the staff, love the small-town feel, the support from the parks and recreation department and the city, the scope and size of facility, being part of change, dealing with amazing contractors.
Q: Proudest accomplishment?
A: There are a few. My athletic accomplishments and making a difference (hopefully) in people's lives. If a kind word and conversation, joke or a friendly face made a difference in someone's life that makes it all worthwhile.
Q: Can you share any highlights from your time at Canada Games Pool?
A: I remember volunteering at the swimming event during the Canada Games in ‘73, thinking I wanted to work in a facility this size. We used to have swims of 1,200 people, lineups out the door.
Q: How do you feel about retiring?
A: It's been an interesting process. I think my ah ha moment has been taking things for granted, knowing that I would see someone the next day or in a few weeks etc.
Q: Do you have any regrets about not being here to work on the new aquatic facility?
A: I plan to have input into the new facility, just not on a staff level. It's an incredible opportunity for the city and great to see the support for a 50-metre pool which allows for so many programming options
Q: What are your retirement plans?
A: My first step is to adopt a dog from a shelter, spend time getting into shape, sleeping in (if my body cooperates) and spending time with my sister and brother in-law.
Q: Any final thoughts?
A: I can say that I have been the luckiest person to have a job with the city. Not many people can say 43 completed years in one place, to have crossed paths with so many amazing and talented customers and staff!
