For the second time in as many weeks, a Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA) winner has come from southwestern Saskatchewan.

Last week the city of Swift Current was given the 2020 Community Achievement Award and earlier this week Swift Current's Rosalie Flynn was named the SPRA's 2020 Volunteer of the Year.

"Sometimes it's nice to receive that recognition but it's uncomfortable too," Flynn said with a chuckle. "Because I don't look for and I don't think most people look for to being recognized for things they truly loved to do."

Since retiring as a teacher in 2011, Flynn has thrust herself into volunteering within the community including playing a significant part in the city's forever in motion program. She was also a co-chair of the 2016 Ford World Women's Curling Championship and a co-chair of UDC during the Western Canada Summer Games.

"When I retired I had two goals, one was to find a program where I could teach fitness to older adults which I found was the forever in motion program and then I brought that program to the city to see if they'd be willing to offer it," she said. "And the other one was to get involved with the city because I never had that opportunity to be involved in community events. I would have liked to have been involved in world curling in 2010 but I was still teaching."

Flynn's nomination to the SPRA was submitted by the city and backed by several of their employees including Val Choo-Foo, Kelly Schafer, and Melissa Shaw.

"She's a 30-year volunteer for the city of Swift Current," the city of Swift Current's General Manager of Community Services Jim Jones said. "This award is for outstanding achievement for volunteer efforts, and they have to be able to promote values and benefits of active living and in saying that she is instrumental in assisting Val Choo-Foo from the city with regards to the forever in motion... A very deserving lady and we're very proud of her and she continues to step up for the city of Swift Current."

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the SPRA held a small ceremony for Flynn's award back on November 19.