City Of Westlake Honors Longtime Recreation Director DeMinico

Westlake OH

29 December, 2020

12:14 PM

Description

WESTLAKE, OH — The City of Westlake's Recreation Department will transition to new leadership in the coming weeks after the city recently honored director Bob DeMinico, who announced he is retiring after spending nearly the past 16 years working for the city. DeMinico was recognized at a socially distanced retirement ceremony at the Westlake Recreation Center. During his tenure with the city, DeMinico has overseen numerous development projects during his time within the recreation department, many of which were part of the 2015 Parks and Recreation Master Plan. DeMinico was honored by Mayor Dennis Clough, who declared Dec. 18 as a day of honor for DeMinico, who was recognized at the retirement ceremony by former Parks and Recreation Commissioner Bud Tetzlaff, Westlake Engineering Director Bob Kelly and Westlake Recreation Commissioner Dale Smith Among the projects that were completed during DeMinico's time with the city were the Westlake Aquatic Center and Peterson pool, the Clague Memorial baseball fields, $6 million in renovations and improvements to the city's recreation center – including roof repairs, a new HVAC system, improvements to locker rooms, the gym and enhancements. The recreation center also underwent a 18,000 square-foot fitness room addition and a new pedestrian bridge was also built at Clague Park and new pickleball courts were also constructed at Tri City Park. Paula Horner will take over as the City of Westlake's Recreation Director and brings more than 20 years of experience to the job. (Photo courtesy of the City of Westlake). DeMinico also was responsible for beginning the city's corporate partnership program and the corporate challenge, city officials said, which will be held for the 21st time in 2021. Paula Horner was recently named as DeMinico's replacement as recreation director, the city announced. Horner will begin the role in early 2021 after spending the past 11 years as the recreation director for the City of Broadview Heights. Horner, who has more than 20 years of experience working in municipal government, worked as Broadview's recreation manager before taking over as director. Horner oversaw several projects in her role in Broadview, including the development of the city's Community and Recreation Center, which was completed in 2018. Horner was a charter member of two committees that were formed to support two bond issues that were necessary in completing the development project. Horner also helped to secure grant funding to expand recreation services for the city as well. In her new role in Westlake, Horner will continue to development work on a master plan for Meadowood Golf Course and will also be part of a collaborative effort with the Westlake Community Services Department on a new joint programming initiative.