PTC recreation department, volunteer win state awards

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

The Peachtree City Recreation Department has been named the top recreation department in the state among other departments in its size category.

And one of its volunteers has been named Volunteer of the Year in the same category.

The Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) named Peachtree City the best among eight county and city recreation departments that serve between 20,000 and 70,000 people. In that same category, Recreation Commission member Luther Holt has been named the top volunteer by GRPA.

The Peachtree City Recreation Department will receive its award at the state GRPA conference in November at Jekyll Island.

Randy Gaddo, the city's director of leisure services, said the department has been working toward this award for the past three years.

"We've kept our focus on customer service and customer satisfaction," Gaddo said. "Our staff is professional, diligent and honestly concerned with doing the best they can. We're all very proud at receiving this recognition."

Sherry McHugh, the recreation administrator for the city, said the staff works diligently to offer well-rounded programs.

"It is an honor to be recognized by our peers for a job well done," McHugh said.

The departments were judged in seven different categories, including planning and evaluation, organization and administration, facilities and recreation areas, marketing and program services offered.

Holt has a history of supporting parks and recreation efforts. Since 1995 he has served on the Peachtree City Recreation Commission. He was also served as co-chairman of the youth triathlon and as the recreation commission liaison to the Kedron Fieldhouse and Aquatic Center users group.

Recently, Holt was appointed as the commission's liaison with the All Children's Playground committee to help raise $150,000 for a special needs accessible playground at Picnic Park.

Holt also serves the community as a mentor to local students through the school system, as the chairman of the Fayette Community Hospital's hospitality committee and as vice chair of the Big Bethel AME Church credit union.

Holt said the award "came as a complete surprise to me.

"I didn't even know I had been nominated," Holt added. "While I know there are others who are equally or more deserving, I humbly accept the recognition and vow to continue serving my

Back to News Home Page | Back to the top of the page