Bill Reid’s vocational responsibilities have been commuted to retirement responsibilities. As a result, he’ll no longer have to commute.
Reid, City of Powell River’s director of parks, recreation and culture, has been working weekdays in Powell River and travelling to his home in the Lower Mainland on weekends for going on 12 years. His commitment to the field of parks, recreation and culture here, however, has made the disjointed existence worthwhile.
Reid said moving to Powell River was a great career opportunity. He had previously been employed in West Vancouver as the manager of horticulture in parks. The assistant director’s job in parks, recreation and culture came available in Powell River so he applied and was successful. After working as the assistant director for a few years, the opportunity to apply for the director’s job availed itself, making for an even better career opportunity.
“My wife Linda and I came up and looked around, liked the community and liked what we saw,” Reid said of his first trip to Powell River. “The facilities were incredible and the parks were great.”
At the time of his job application, Reid’s wife had just returned to work and his sons were heavily involved in school and activities in the Lower Mainland, including being nationally ranked swimmers.
“Linda and I made the decision that I would commute because we both couldn’t relocate at the time,” he said. It was worth the effort.
“It’s not a lifestyle I would recommend for a lot of people,” Reid said. “We made the decision that’s how we would do it. I never knew I would be here this length of time but I’ve certainly enjoyed it so there are no regrets. My career has been rewarding.”
Reid said he has been blessed to work in Powell River with great staff members. They have been very keen, have risen to the challenge and have pursued improvement and excellence through training, he added. When he first arrived in Powell River, many parks staff members, for example, were categorized as labourers.
“It has evolved and now many hold additional qualifications,” he said. “So it goes for the Powell River Recreation Complex staff. I credit them for that.”
Reid has enjoyed community affiliations, such as serving with the Marine Area Business Association board, plus the Townsite Heritage Society, which has been fulfilling because he has a keen interest in history. Reid has also enjoyed working with Powell River Mobility Opportunities Society (PRMOS) and being involved with the BC Bike Race for the past five years.
Reid said he considers Powell River a very healthy community. For the recent National Health and Fitness Day, Powell River was touted by the office of its founder, John Weston, MP, as one of the best cities in BC for activities that were offered to the community.
He said the department tries to stay current with health and fitness trends.
“We don’t have all things but the private facilities in town pick up some of the things we can’t host,” Reid said. “That adds to the community as a whole.”
The recreation complex is a real asset to community fitness because it was designed to have everything under one roof.
“We have meeting rooms, fitness rooms, the pool, two sheets of ice and the theatre,” Reid said. “It’s amazing. It was visionary, 40 or 45 years ago when they started to plan it.”
There have been a number of upgrades to the recreation complex during Reid’s tenure to modernize it and make it more energy efficient. Additionally, Powell River’s new track facility, guided by Reid, is a real attribute to fitness and community health. Reid will miss the completion of the bike and skateboard park at the recreation complex, which will help engage the younger members of this community. It should be completed by September.
Improvements to community fitness facilities are ongoing. Reid said the sports team field fee has paid for the home-run fence at Larry Gouthro Park, plus new washrooms at Sunset Park and new goal posts have been installed at soccer fields.
Civic pride is one of the keys to how this community operates, Reid said. The intimate connection and sense of volunteerism in smaller communities such as Powell River is what makes cultural events such as International Choral Kathaumixw possible.
“It’s incredible that it happens,” he said. “You don’t see that so much in the Lower Mainland. The fabric of the community here is a lot stronger in that regard.
“Linda and I look forward to returning on vacation and visiting our many friends in Powell River.”
