Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Frisco Parks & Recreation Director Rick Wieland quick to credit staff

By Minnie Payne

FRISCO — Rick Wieland, 53-year-old Frisco Parks & Recreation Director, gives his staff credit for the superb condition of the 43 restful and active parks, 1,332 acres, which Frisco citizens enjoy.

Of equal importance, are the new 17,000 square foot senior adult center and the 100,000 square foot indoor recreation center.

“Frankly, I’m blessed with the 274 member, mostly part time, staff that I have,” Wieland said. “They are a great group of people.”

Wieland grew up in Arlington and graduated from Lamar High School in 1973. He earned a B.A. in education and history from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1989.

“I had plans to be an elementary school teacher, but started working part time for the city of Arlington Parks & Recreation Department as well as Six Flags while attending college,” he said. “After graduation, I accepted a position as assistant athletic director for the city of Abilene in 1980, remaining there until 1983.

“I was fortunate to get the job as it was a great opportunity.”

From 1983 - 1990, he served as director of parks and recreation for the city of Cedar Hill; from 1990 – 1996 he was manager of parks and recreation for the city of Coppell, and in June, 1996 he came to work for the city of Frisco.

Wieland said he enjoys working with both the parks and recreation aspects of his job.

“I really love seeing kids, families, and seniors taking advantage of our facilities and having a good time,” he said.

Membership into the Senior Center at Frisco Square is simple in that seniors come in and complete a Participant Information & Waiver Form. Adults age 50, or a spouse of a member under age 50, who is resident of the city of Frisco pay no membership fee. Non-resident annual participation fee is $24 per year.

Among the many amenities of the senior center is a nutritious lunch served restaurant-style at the Friendship Café. Seniors over 60 make a donation of $3, and those under 60 pay $4.50 per meal.

The Frisco Athletic Center contains two basketball gyms, two racquetball courts, a childcare room, and a youth room. A 22,000 square foot fitness area is loaded with the latest in cardio, machine weights and free weights, two aerobics rooms, a multipurpose room, spacious locker rooms and family changing suites.

The athletic center also has an 18,000 square foot indoor aquatic area with, among other features, a lap swim pool and a kid-friendly splash pool, as well as a 20,000-plus square foot outdoor aquatic area with a splash pool.

There are daily, monthly and annual rates for both residents and non-residents.

Wieland said that Frisco has quickly grown beyond the city’s expectations. Watching citizens smile while they’re enjoying the recreational facilities that have been provided for them is pretty special [to me], he explained.

Because his parents grew up in the depression era, he said they were influenced by that in raising their family.

“Dad didn’t have a college degree, but was very technically knowledgeable,” he said. “We were not affluent and there were a few things that we weren’t able to have.

“I was an only child and mom was able to stay at home.”

Wieland played baseball and basketball in high school and said that he had a series of coaches and teachers who opened doors for him and gave him opportunities early in life.

“Working with people like George Purefoy has allowed me to be where I am today,” he said. “Because of his [Purefoy] style of leadership and his ethical and moral standards, I consider George to be a person of great influence in my career.”

Because of Purefoy and his management team, as well as the parks and recreation board, the community development corporation and the urban forestry board, Wieland said that the parks and recreation department has been able to provide excellent parks and recreational facilities for the city of Frisco.

“Whether it’s the needs of a young child or a senior, we have been blessed to be able to be there for them,” he said.

Wieland has been married to his wife, Luanne, 29 years and they have three sons, Jay, 22, Colby, 19, and Sam, 14.

“Rick is a great representative for the city,” said Frisco Deputy City Manager Henry Hill. “What I appreciate about him is he is so devoted to providing the best recreational facilities possible for our citizens.”

Related stories

• Pegasus News Week in View: Beat the Heat edition (Aug. 7, 2008)

See more stories in:

• Citizen Profiles
• Politics and Government > City Government > Frisco
• Pegasus News Exclusive

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