TEMPE, Ariz. – Tina Royer, an eighteen year veteran in the aquatics industry, has been appointed the community services aquatics coordinator for the City of Tempe. Royer, whose position will be effective Feb. 11, 2013, comes to the City of Tempe from the City of Scottsdale, where she served as recreation coordinator since 2006. She steps into the role vacated by Patricia Van Gorp, who will retire on April 26, 2013, after 25 years of service with the City of Tempe.
“We thank Patricia Van Gorp for her major accomplishments in building an aquatics program that has been an award winning program nationally and second to none in swimmer safety, customer satisfaction and overall program quality ,” said David Bucher, recreation manager of the City of Tempe’s Kiwanis Recreation Center. “Her leadership in building our aquatics program has been inspirational and remarkable effort over the many years of service she has provided to the citizens of Tempe.”
At the City of Scottsdale, Royer was responsible for organizing and planning recreation activities, including April Pools Day, Hawaiian Luau, Water Safety Day and Critical Incident Training. She effectively decreased expenditures while still increasing revenues and attendance to aquatics programs during her tenure. Royer used her leadership and teamwork skills to collaborate with neighboring parks and community centers as well as the local Boys and Girls Club.
“I am excited for this opportunity to work for a great organization. I am looking forward to bringing ‘The Best of Aquatics’ award to the city of Tempe,” said Royer. “My extensive knowledge in training, events, budgeting and programming will help take Tempe to the next level.”
While at the City of Mesa, Royer advanced to increasingly responsible positions, culminating in her role as recreation programmer for the city’s aquatics program. One major accomplishment included securing a $25,000 grant for the “Making Waves” swim lesson scholarship program for one season.
“We are extremely excited in bringing Ms. Royer to Tempe to continue the ‘Tempe tradition’ of excellence in aquatic instructional, exercise and family fun programs,” says Bucher. “This level of excellence reinforces the city’s commitment to our citizens in providing the highest level of swimmer safety and aquatic programming as the best in West. We are very fortunate to have such a talented and skilled professional join the Tempe team!"
Royer is an active member locally and nationally with aquatic and recreation professional organizations, including the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona (DPCA), Arizona Parks and Recreation Association (APRA), and National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA). Additionally, she is a board member with the DPCA and serves as chair of sports and aquatics for the APRA.
The City of Scottsdale awarded Royer the City Manager Award in 2009 for her efforts in aquatic planning and innovation. She gained national distinction with her 2012 award from the magazine, Aquatics International: Best of Aquatics, for managing the City of Scottsdale aquatics program. Royer has previously received the Outstanding Recreation Professional and Outstanding Service as Vice Chair Sports and Aquatics Awards from the APRA.
She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Spanish from Jacksonville State University.
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