Small Town News
New Recreation Director
Email
Print
Tweet
CopyUSD 208 Recreation Commission has a new face at the helm as Joe Spangler has accepted the position as director. Spangler is a native of Colby, but has lived in Hays since 1998. He received his degree in Recreation and Sports Management from Ft. Hays State University, where he was also a member of the football and track teams. In fact, Spangler still holds the Ft. Hays State record for the 600-meter event. He also served as a coach and Ft. Hays for eight years.
More recently, Spangler worked with the Hays Recreation Commission as their aquatics and wellness director. He and his wife Erica, who teaches school in Hays, and their six month old daughter, Jaelyn, will be moving to WaKeeney when the school year ends. They are looking forward to returning to small town life, as both are from small towns in northwest Kansas. Living in WaKeeney will also keep their extended family close as Spangler's parents live in Hays, and his wife's parents live in Goodland.
He also commented that he and his wife were impressed with the WaKeeney school system. Overall, he says, "we are happy to be here. We're excited about relocating and getting to know the people of this community. I'm always willing to listen." When asked why he sought the WaKeeney recreation position, Spangler noted that he "always wanted to move up to a director's position".
Spangler also sought the position because he was impressed that the local rec commission wanted to improve their programs, most notably with the new wellness center building. He also liked that irrigation has been installed at the baseball fields, and there are plans for bringing in some red dirt to improve the infields. He has been busy painting at the new wellness center and work there is progressing with new ceilings, heating and air conditioning and carpet. Progress is going well enough to meet the tax credit deadline that the building be open by December of this year.
People who wish to meet the new director and learn more about the USD 208 Recreation Commission and its programs should mark their calendars for an open house scheduled for October 1. The event will be held at the wellness center from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Copyright 2009 Western Kansas World, Wakeeny, Kansas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.
© 2010 Western Kansas World Wakeeny, Kansas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.
More from Western Kansas World