The people behind SPRD... Bob Keefer

When Bob Keefer and his wife moved to Sisters in 2015, after his long career in parks and recreation, he knew he wanted to get involved with our local parks and rec district.

Keefer previously worked with the Willamalane Parks and Recreation District for over 16 years at various executive levels.

“I spent my entire career in parks and recreation, managing districts, running the park district, and helping to manage programs,” he said.

His career in parks and recreation started in Junction City when he was young.

“I knew I wanted to work in parks and rec and especially in a small-town, creating community and programs for the community,” he said.

His family often took vacations to the Central Oregon area, and he always knew that he wanted to move here when he retired. He officially retired in October of 2016 and began getting involved with Sisters Park and Recreation District (SPRD). Keefer has served on the SPRD board in many different positions including board chair three times, and is currently serving as the board treasurer.

“I make sure that we are being efficient and transparent with the funds we are receiving, and helping to create a healthy balance of taking on new things and maintain what we have,” said Keefer.

Five years ago, when the community supported the local option levy providing more funding to SPRD, it helped to stabilize programs — even considering COVID-19 restrictions over the past two years.

“We have really been working to get programs strong again after COVID, and we are doing more special events and building community. We are very community driven,” he said.

“I really strive to watch over our programs and funding and keep SPRD adding to the fabric of our community and making sure we are doing that wisely and getting things out the door.”

Keefer sees the value of SPRD as providing critical services for young families.

“COVID made it clear that we provide essential services for families with young kids. We really tried to make it work and happen during that time as there aren’t a lot of services in town, and we provide more than outdoor recreation spaces and programs,” said Keefer.

“We have great volunteers that help maintain our programs,” he said.

SPRD is currently striving to reengage programs with seniors after halting them due to COVID.

Keefer supports the pickleball team that SPRD is now promoting, working with older adults, He is a part of the pickleball team, playing at least once a week at the elementary school courts that were recently restored.

“The recreation activities and events all provide memories and create a sense of family as well as economic vitality in the business district of the town,” said Keefer.

Keefer also serves as a consultant for the Special District Association of Oregon, working with park districts, fire districts, and irrigation districts around the state, providing his knowledge and experience.

It’s not all work though.

“I enjoy making homebrew,” he said. “My first and only time I entered a homebrew contest (McKenzie Craft Beer Festival - 2014), I won for the best porter...Old Hazel Porter (hazelnut).”

To learn more about SPRD visit www.sistersrecreation.com.