File photo of a Town of Coaldale sign (Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

Coaldale welcomes new director of recreation and community services

Sep 8, 2020 | 10:08 AM

COALDALE, AB – The Town of Coaldale has its first full-time director of recreation and community services since 2013.

Russ Tanner is slated to start in the position on September 14.

The town said that finding someone for the role will help achieve several different milestones.

These include the construction of the multi-use recreation facility, collaboration with the arena enhancement working group for a second sheet of ice and continuing to have ongoing discussions on the future of aquatics in Coaldale.

Tanner has experience working with multiple communities in southern Alberta. Most recently, he served as the manager of recreation and facility services for the City of Brooks.

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The town stated that Tanner was “an instrumental part” of bringing several notable capital projects to completion over the course of his career, including the Duke of Sutherland Water Park, the JBS Canada Centre and the Centennial Regional Arena.

“I want residents to take pride in the facilities and programs offered in their community,” Tanner stated in a release from the Town of Coaldale.

“I’ve stuck to the municipal path throughout my career because I like being able to help cultivate a community identity and tie both the physical and mental aspects of healthy living into the fabric.”

Tanner is expected to work closely with manager of community services, Cindy Hoffman.

He said his position is not about just doing the job, but also becoming a part of the community.