BV Recreation is gaining momentum, expanding programming and focusing on a team-oriented mindset with the addition of new Recreation Director Earl Richmond. He comes to the role after serving as a volunteer on the Buena Vista Recreation Board for 15 years.
Richmond transplanted to the Buena Vista area in 2001 after working in Breckenridge when he purchased Colorado Kayak Supply (CKS).
With his purchase of the popular paddle-sport retailer, he moved it to Main Street in Buena Vista, Richmond immediately began engaging the community through the medium of recreation. He credits Louis Walton, who was the chair, for bringing him to the Recreation Advisory board.
“I was always a community-minded person,” Richmond stated. “I was looking for my fit down here in BV, and I stumbled onto the Recreation Advisory Board.”
“Louis got me to come to a meeting, and I realized very quickly that the town just needed help in guiding the future in recreation. So, from 2002 on I’ve been on the Rec Advisory Board,” said Richmond. “Just trying to help and give the best input I could to create recreation opportunities for citizens and guests.”
Richmond pointed out that the development of recreation in Buena Vista was a struggle.
Photo courtesy of the Wyoming Humanities Council
“To be honest, back in those days, talking recreation in town council meetings was not super popular,” Richmond recalled. “[Recreation programming] was questioned. It was new. We’d seen some success in some programs, but back then [rec] wasn’t the focus. It wasn’t a proven driving economic factor.”
Fast forward nearly two decades, and Richmond is no longer just a volunteer on the board, he is the director of the Recreation Department in Buena Vista. After his 15 years serving on the Recreation Advisory Board, Richmond has watched recreation in Buena Vista blossom from a fledgling afterthought to a robust department.
Shane Basford, the recreation department’s program coordinator, believes the recreation department began to turn the corner about 12 years ago.
“In 2007, maybe 2008, the recreation department took over adult softball,” said Basford. “That was our first big program.”
Now, the recreation department runs a multitude of programs including youth volleyball, youth soccer and youth baseball. Currently, the volleyball program has more than 80 participants, soccer is over 120 kids and baseball is projected to have around 150 kids enrolled.
The recreation department also helps organize and facilitate special events in Buena Vista. These include 14er fest, Paddlefest and Ride the Rockies.
“Special events are a big part of Buena Vista,” Richmond said. “They are a big part of our economy. [We] help advise on new events. We work with the town and review applications, and ensure we are approving events that bring quality to the community. We also make sure we are nurturing the ones that come back year after year.”
Richmond pointed out that adopting the adult softball league and committing to larger programming demanded that the recreation department beef up its services.
“It was great, but we needed some [work hours] to accomplish taking over softball,” said Richmond. “It doesn’t just happen. [These programs] have a lot of administrative work.”
Richmond likens the recreation department to other entities in town that don’t turn a profit but offer services to the town.
“This is a service to the town. Just like the police department doesn’t necessarily make money, but provides an awesome service to the town.” Richmond explained. “We were always using the argument that this is a service to the town.”
Richmond said he realized that creating a revenue source within the recreation department was critical to the department’s success.
“I think we found a balance where we realized we could take over some of these popular programs and actually create some revenue,” Richmond said. “We could justify having some staff to make [these programs] happen, and do it professionally.”
Richmond says he and Basford understand that keeping their recreation programs affordable is the backbone of participation. He pointed out that keeping things affordable is feasible because of the department’s great relationships with local facility owners. He gives those entities a lot of credit for the growth of recreation programming.
“Our programs are affordable because we have amazing relationships with Darren Patterson at Christian Academy and Buena Vista Schools,” Richmond explained. “They allow us to use their facilities at rates that allow us to offer affordable programs.”
This camaraderie and teamwork among local departments, businesses and entities are vital to the success of everyone involved. This mindset is not lost on Richmond, who approaches his new position as recreation director with the same mindset.
“I don’t look at myself as the ‘director’,” said Richmond. “I look at myself as a teammate with Shane and Ben. We are all working on the same cause. I suppose people have to have titles, but I work for the rec department.”
Basford echoed Richmond’s statement. Further solidifying the common goal the recreation department works toward.
“The mission is to provide affordable recreation options for the people [here].” Basford Said. “We give people options for things to do, ways to stay fit and healthy, and to have fun.”
Richmond knows his team brings unique skills and specialties to the workplace. As the recreation director, Richmond points out that his responsibility is to look to the future.
“My goal is to look down the line,” said Richmond. “There’s this huge burst of young energy here, and more and more people are moving into town. We need to make sure we can fulfill the demand. I think we are doing the right thing. We are taking small steps, but always looking down the line.”
The Recreation Advisory Council, says Richmond, is crucial to the recreation department’s ability to foresee changes.
“The board is out listening and talking to people and report back every month at our meeting,” said Richmond. “We talk about the pulse of the community. What are you hearing? What are people saying they want? “
By keeping a finger to the vein of interest amongst the community, Richmond and his team strive to be prepared to develop as Buena Vista does. One way of ensuring residents can stay engaged and involved is to provide information on all recreation activities.
“We opened up our BV Rec website, but we want it to be more of a recreation information center,” explained Basford. “Not only for our programs but information for all recreation opportunities in town.”
The website allows program organizers to submit their own program. Essentially, it’s a database of recreation activities in and around Buena Vista.
“For years we struggled with a lack of information,” said Richmond. “[Our website] is an information hub for kids, adults and families.”
Those interested in joining a recreation program or want to learn more should visit www.buenavistarec.com.
Recent Comments