Estevan's leisure services sees management changes

ESTEVAN - The City of Estevan has announced some changes at the top of its leisure services division.

Earlier this year, Rod March announced his resignation as the manager of parks, facilities and leisure services, resulting in some reshuffling.

Erin Wilson, a long-time city employee who had been the city's program manager, is now the city's leisure services manager. She has been working with leisure services in the early 1990s. 

"I'm really excited to take on a new adventure, and I'm really excited to see what Estevan can host in the future," said Wilson. "We have some feelers out for different exciting events that we can bring into our community, and it's always nice to be able to bring that economic development into our community, but also just to be able to create some excitement and be able to have things happening in our backyard."

Brittany Sutherland, who had been the recreation director in Lampman for several years, is now the program manager.

Dan Kroeker will be the maintenance manager and Shannon Wanner will be responsible for all parks and outdoor spaces.

Wilson said her time as leisure services manager has been going well thus far.

"My portfolio will include special events, it would include ice scheduling, working with the sports groups and helping … with the front lines and the information desk staff as well," said Wilson.

Sutherland will eventually assume responsibility for aquatics, the multi-purpose room, the playparks program and some other duties that Wilson has now.

Wilson said she had some dealings with Sutherland when Sutherland was in Lampman, and she will be a really good addition to the city's team.

City manager Jeff Ward said Kroeker will manage all aspects of city-owned buildings, including preventative maintenance, asset management and tendering of any major projects or repairs. Ward noted Kroeker has worked for the city for 32 years and has a wealth of knowledge of all the city facilities.

Wanner will be responsible for all the parks and outdoor spaces. Ward said Wanner will work with the outside user groups to ensure facilities and events occur throughout the season. Wanner has been the parks foreman for the last seven years but has been with the city for 19 years.

"She has been trained in playpark structure management, and has all certifications in regards to pest and mosquito control applications," said Ward. "During the winter, the outdoor rinks along with their outdoor buildings are maintained. Parks are responsible for snow clearing around the leisure centre and Affinity Place, as well as maintaining the 22 kilometres of pathway during the winter. Parks are also responsible for any funerals that occur at the cemetery throughout the year."

Wilson said Kroeker and Wanner are very knowledgeable and she is looking forward to continuing to work with them.

"Any time that we grow our team and add more members, it helps us to provide better customer service and be able to support the community in every area that they need," she said.