SPRD director to depart

Liam Hughes, executive director at Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) for the past four years, will depart as of January 26 to take a position in Pendleton.

The SPRD Board of Directors was to discuss next steps, including the hiring of an interim or a new director, at their monthly meeting on Tuesday, January 9.

"It saddens me to leave Sisters and SPRD behind, especially at such a busy time, but it is a great professional opportunity that I cannot pass up," Hughes stated. "The Park and Recreation Department in Pendleton has a large array of parks, a recreation center, and a swimming pool. I am excited for the opportunity to work with facilities like these and be able to deliver great services to the citizens of Pendleton."

SPRD recently announced plans to seek a 15-cents-per-$1,000 local-option tax to support its programs.

Hughes said that he is proud of the district for expanding programs, especially for adults and seniors, while continuing to focus on the youth of the community (see Letters to the Editor, page 22).

"If I had one thing I am most proud of, it has been how our staff have united behind the mission of raising money though fundraisers and grants, so that we can keep our services available and affordable for the people of Sisters Country," he said.

Hughes came to Sisters from the Newport Parks & Recreation District.

Hughes is a native of Essex, England. He left there at 16 "chasing the dream of being a basketball player."

That dream first took him to Modesto, California, where he attended high school, then to Oregon State University and a year at Western Oregon University.

NBA dreams didn't quite come true, but Hughes had no desire to return to the UK.

"Once I moved to Oregon, I never wanted to go back," he said.