After 10 days on the job, Katie Squires has gotten her feet wet with her duties as recreation coordinator for the City of Bridgeport. Of Buckhannon, Squires came on board July 29. She works directly with Parks and Recreation Director Joe Shuttleworth and her office is at Benedum Civic Center. 

 

“I’m still getting settled, but working right now putting programming together for fall and holiday activity guides,” she said. “We’re hoping to expand with events and programs moving forward.”

 

Former wellness coordinator at West Virginia Wesleyan College, where she also served as assistant coach of the Bobcat Swim Team, Squires said the Bridgeport Recreation Coordinator position piqued her interest.

 

“I think for me, the most interesting aspect and what attracted me is the expansion that is ahead for the City of Bridgeport. Moving forward with the indoor sports center and being part of all that growth in North Central West Virginia is really a great opportunity,” she said.

 

The position falls directly in line with Squires’ work experience and credentials. A 2005 graduate of Buckhannon Upshur High School – where she swam competitively - she earned an undergraduate degree in sports management from WVWC in 2009 and thereafter a masters in sports management from Indiana University in Pennsylvania in 2011.

 

She started her position at WVWC as wellness coordinator in January of 2012.

 

“I oversaw the wellness center on campus from the time it opened. I was the only full-time staff member, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the facility, managing the student work study staff, manning the front desk and overseeing graduate assistants with the programming of the wellness center, group exercise classes, campus events and hosting of a community 5K,” Squires said. “I oversaw those events and special programs we offered and daily operations – maintenance and upkeep of the facility, etc.”

 

After holding that position for five and a half years and working with the WVWC swim team for about four years, Squires was thereafter employed by NCSA, a Chicago-based sports recruiting company.

 

“I helped prospective student athletes of aquatic sports – swimming, diving and water polo,” she said. “They were high school-age students ranging from eighth grade to seniors who were looking to compete on a collegiate level. I helped them through the recruiting process.”

 

She did that work for about six months before applying for and being selected for the Bridgeport position.

 

“Of the candidates we received for the position, Katie brought a unique package to the table,” Shuttleworth said. “She has great experience with aquatics and facility management. She and her family have experience working in parks and recreation.”

 

Squires was a great interview and brings passion and professionalism, he said.

 

“We also felt that her experience in opening and operating the wellness center at West Virginia Wesleyan, along with her competitive aquatics background, will prove beneficial in the future with regard to the indoor sports complex that we are currently planning,” he said.

 

Squires swam competitively through age 18 and thereafter coached on a club level before coaching at WVWC. 

 

Moving forward, Squires’ extensive aquatics background will also be utilized in the management of the Bridgeport Pool. For the timebeing, she will be handling programming duties for Bridgeport Parks and Recreation, including classes, camps and special events, Shuttleworth said.

 

As that programming is expanding, Squires welcomes suggestions for classes – relating to fitness, art, music and hobbies. Reach out to her by calling 304-842-8240.