Let’s introduce you to the catalysts in the parks and recreation industry who are making your communities better places to live, work and play!
Vanessa Dahl, Recreation Director
Picture of SPRA Field Consultant Dan Gallagher, Recreation Director Vanessa Dahl and CAO Rebecca Korchinski (Arcola, SK)
Community partners: Town of Arcola, the RM of Brock and the Optimist Club of Arcola
Years in the industry: Two
Best part of the job: Seeing other people enjoying their recreation pursuits
Most memorable moments: Coordinating a new program to the area, the Summer Kids Camp, and realizing it was a huge success!!!
What is the #1 benefit of having a full-time Recreation Practitioner in your area: Being able to be a communication hub and liaison for the community
What competencies, skills or attributes do you need to be a successful recreation practitioner:
- Be organized;
- Have an open mind, and;
- A willingness to work with many different community groups and people
Stacy Thiessen, Regional Recreation Programmer
Picture of Director of Recreation and Parks Lesley Thibault and Regional Recreation Programmer Stacy Thiessen (Tisdale, SK)
Community partners: Town of Tisdale, RM of Tisdale, RM of Connaught, Kinistin Saulteaux Nation
Years in the industry: I'm a self-proclaimed (but eager) rookie!
Best part of the job: Making the community more FUN for all ages
Most memorable moments: The unsolicited thank you from a person you don’t even know;
What is the #1 benefit of having a full-time Recreation Practitioner in your area: Developing partnerships that will add to and enhance the recreation services offered in the area
What competencies, skills or attributes do you need to be a successful Recreation Practitioner:
- Have an open mind;
- Be outgoing;
- Be confident;
- Be organized, and;
- HAVE FUN!!
Colton Moore, Director of Community Recreation
Picture of Field Consultant Jaclyn Davis, Community Recreation Director Colton Moore and Councillor Kyle Leonard (Ogema, SK)
Community partners: Town of Ogema, RM of Key West, Ogema Regional Park Authority
Years in the industry: A few years. I previously worked in Community Centres in Ontario
Best part of the job: connecting the service area and creating a recognition that the area does, indeed, have lots to offer with regards to recreation
Most memorable moments: Allowing the volunteers to re-focus on the reason they volunteered in the area. “Ogema and area is better at doing the big things; raising money for a new pool or hall, than they are at the little things”.
What is the #1 benefit of having a full-time Recreation Practitioner in your area:The ability to create or foster a recreation delivery system that is efficient, effective and uses all the community’s assets to better serve the area.
What competencies, skills and/or attributes needed to be a successful Recreation Practitioner:
- Have patience to earn the trust of the community
- Be Engaging, and;
- Be a self-starter
We wish these young catalysts for recreation all the best in their work with communities!
More Information
Contact us for more information about the Recreation Practitioner Pilot Program.
This unique program would not have been possible without funding from
Sask Lotteries.
