It was more than a stroke of luck that won Roseville’s Parks and Recreation Department’s aquatic division a national award.

According to Alexa Pritchard, parks and recreation manager, it was a combination of programs, growth and staff training.

The city’s aquatic division recently won the 2008 national excellence in aquatics award, an award that Roseville received once before, from the National Recreation and Park Association and its National Aquatic branch.

This award, which recognizes only six cities nationwide a year, awards aquatic divisions based on city population – Roseville won the award for class three, for cities with populations between 100,000 and 250,000.

In addition to the growth and staff, Roseville’s aquatic division also responds to what the community wants and needs as far as programs and lessons, Pritchard said.

“Our bread and butter program is our swimming lessons,” she said.

Roseville’s aquatic division has taught more than 7,200 children to swim each year.

Pritchard said part of Roseville aquatic’s success is offering lessons that people want and when they want them, which was one of the criteria NRPA was looking for: responsiveness to community needs.

Roseville’s aquatic programs include public swimming, competitive swim teams, water aerobics and pool rentals. They also offer pool days such as family nights starting in June; Splash, a September event with art, food and entertainment; and Doggie Dip Day in November.

For more information on Roseville’s aquatic programs go to www.roseville.ca.us/parks.