SOAR Director looks ahead after verdict

With a civil suit against Bend Metro Park and Recreation District behind her, the head of SOAR looks forward to a year filled with fun activities for kids and families.

“I’m very committed to this organization,” said Carrie Ward, Executive Director of Sisters Organization for Activities & Recreation (SOAR).

The result of the tumultuous legal battle is not expected to affect her work in Sisters.

In January, Ward lost a suit against Bend Metro Park and Recreation District. She alleged gender bias and defamation against the park district and board when they fired her as executive director in 2002. The judge found the board was “demeaning” but the evidence did not prove the actions were due to Ward’s gender.

In July 2005, Ward was hired by SOAR as director taking Tom Coffield’s place.

After the two-week trial, Ward said she will let the record speak for itself. She worked her way up in her 25 years to the top position with Bend’s Recreation District and had “great performance reviews.”

“Bend’s loss is our gain,” said SOAR District Board Chair Bonnie Malone. “She’s done a terrific job taking us to the next step.”

Malone said she and others active in SOAR watched Ward expand Bend’s recreation programs in her 25 years there and are now thrilled to have her professional attitude and broad vision at work in Sisters.

“We don’t think we could have made a better choice,” said Malone on behalf of the board.

Ward kept the board informed of her suit and told the board she did not want it to adversely impact SOAR.

“It didn’t really affect the board,” said Malone.

Ward was glad to leave the courtroom behind her and focus on “running all of our great programs” at SOAR’s Community Center. The center has a clubhouse program for kids pre-kindergarten through fifth grade with crafts and other activities. The Teen Center is a supervised place for students sixth grade and up to play pool, listen to music, start a game of hoops or do homework. Also SOAR offers popular Taekwondo classes and is working toward building a skatepark.

Ward said the board is the driving force behind SOAR’s ability to offer recreational activities to more than 150 Sisters residents each day.

“I would have to say this is one of the hardest working, most effective boards I’ve worked with,” said Ward.

Both Ward and Malone say they will continue to focus their energy on the needs of the kids.

“I think we’re all pretty driven for the kids. We look at what’s best for them,” said Malone.