Wieringa Promises To Bring Creativity To Parks Department
Posted
David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Originally from the same hometown as Hollywood icon James Dean – Fairmount, Ind. – Sheila Wieringa sees her creativity as an asset in her new job as the recreation director for the City of Warsaw Parks & Recreation Department. “I always felt like I’m a creative person, and I think that that will benefit me in this position,” she said during an interview Tuesday morning. Wieringa graduated in 2002 from Madison-Grant High School. She then got her degree in computer programming from International Business College, Fort Wayne. In 2010, she and her husband, Steve, moved to Warsaw and they’ve been here ever since. They have two daughters, a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old. “I’ve got my hands full, that’s for sure,” she said with a laugh. After moving to Warsaw, Wieringa worked part time at the fire station, but she was looking for full-time employment. When the administrative assistant position became available in the city parks department, she applied for the job so she could “better provide for my family,” she said. She started at the parks in December 2011. This October, Recreation Director Liz McKinley submitted her resignation and Wieringa decided she wanted the job. “I felt like, in my time with the department, I had a fairly good understanding of what the job entailed. And I thought that it would be something I would enjoy and that I could grow in this position,” she said. Asked what the recreation director job entails, Wieringa replied, “It is planning, implementing any program event that goes on that the Parks Department puts on or sponsors. Supervising the seasonal staff. Seeking sponsorships and donations. Grant writing.” Whatever she’s working on, Wieringa said she’s enjoying her job and she can see herself in the job for the long term. “It’s a great group of people, a great group of co-workers. I feel like I’m happy to come to work. I enjoy what I do. I enjoy the people I’m with, and I’m happy to come to work every day,” she said. Wieringa said the core programs at the Parks Department will continue as they have in the past, but she’s got some new ideas that she wants to start in 2016. A “Coffee & Canvas” program will be implemented in 2016 and will be held twice, with dates to be determined. If those two dates go well, she would like to add dates in 2017. “It is where anyone can come and paint a canvas picture. We provide instruction and all supplies. And they’ll also be provided a coffee or some sort of drink,” she explained. Also to be implemented in 2016 are two Family Movie Nights in Central Park. Dates and movies are to be determined. “We’ll try two of those this year and see how those go,” Wieringa said. “We want to make sure it’s a family friendly movie, and something that everyone can come to and have a good time. And that will be free.” While the Parks Department still has its Christmas Countdown program from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Wieringa is ready to get going on 2016. “I’m excited for the 2016 programming season. I’m ready to get things started and go at it,” she said.
