Recreation leaders from across the territory arrived in Faro, September 23 to 25, for the annual Recreation Gathering.
Hosted by the Recreation and Parks Association of the Yukon, with support from the Government of Yukon’s Sport and Recreation Branch, the gathering assembles leaders and volunteers for professional-development workshops and presentations.
During the Recreation Gathering, the Government of Yukon presents its annual community recreation leadership award. The award recognizes those who have made an outstanding contribution to community recreation in the Yukon. Two people were recognized in 2025: Robyn Gillespie and Kyla Guzik.
Both Gillespie and Guzik work for the Marsh Lake Community Centre. Since taking on their roles five years ago, Gillespie, as the recreation director, and Guzik, as the executive director, have established new programs and facility upgrades, while strengthening relationships within their community. They have focused on improving volunteer engagement, reducing the administrative burden on board members and creating a more sustainable and collaborative operation model. The two provide quality recreation programming for residents of Marsh Lake, seeing youth participation surge and regularly attracting new community members to engage in their programming.
The Yukon is made better by the people who dedicate their time to providing recreation opportunities for Yukoners. I extend my gratitude to all the recreation leaders across the territory and my congratulations to Robyn Gillespie and Kyla Guzik for their outstanding contributions.
It was wonderful to host this year’s Recreation Gathering on the Traditional Territory of the Kaska Dena people. Recreation leaders came together from across the Yukon to learn, connect and explore the theme: Leading the Way. Inspiring, nurturing and sustaining local leadership in your community.
"We’re proud to celebrate the hard work of all recreation leaders. Special congratulations go to Robyn Gillespie and Kyla Guzik, recipients of the Government of Yukon’s Recreation Leadership Award and to Sophia Flather, who was honoured with the RPAY Recognition Award for her outstanding leadership in Old Crow.
"It’s essential to acknowledge and celebrate the vital role recreation plays in fostering health, wellness and connection in our communities.
A big thank you to the Town of Faro for hosting us and to Ross River for welcoming us during our day trip. Your support made the gathering even more special and fun!"
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The Government of Yukon community recreation award has been presented annually since 2000 to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to Yukon community recreation.
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This year’s recreation gathering theme was Leading the Way. Inspiring, nurturing and sustaining local leadership in your community.
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The Recreation Gathering is organized by the Recreation and Parks Association of Yukon with support from the Government of Yukon’s Sport and Recreation Branch.
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The Sport and Recreation Branch supports recreation in the Yukon’s rural unincorporated communities through the Community Recreation Assistance Grant (CRAG), the Small Capital Projects fund and Active Yukon After School Grant.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627l
[email protected]
John Tonin
Communications, Community Services
867-334-5816
[email protected]