Recreation Director Kelly Johnson retires after 29 years

Posted

BAY MINETTE, Alabama — Back in 1990, the City of Bay Minette was looking to hire its very first recreation director to help guide the city’s youth and senior activities. They didn’t have to look too far.

Kelly Johnson grew up in Bay Minette and graduated from Baldwin County High School, where she was a standout on the volleyball, basketball and softball teams. She went on to earn a degree in recreation and leisure services from the University of South Alabama.

Johnson had worked for the city as a part-time recreation aide one summer before heading back to college to earn her master’s degree. It was then that she heard the city would be creating the new position and she jumped at the chance to return.

“I made the trip home and met with then-Mayor Rickey Rhodes and was fortunate to get the job as Bay Minette’s first recreation director,” Johnson said.

Fast forward 29 years and Johnson is now gearing up for her retirement. She said it’s a bittersweet moment.

“I am truly blessed to serve this city for 29 years. Not only is a great job to have but so gratifying to serve a community I truly love,” she said. “I would like to thank our past and current mayors and city council members and all the wonderful city departments that helped support the recreation department. I have enjoyed working together to move our city forward.”

Mayor Robert A. “Bob” Wills praised Johnson for her leadership and guidance of the Recreation Department.

“Kelly has been a great, long-time employee of the City. In fact, she has been the only Recreation Director that the City has ever had,” Wills said. “Through her efforts, we have been able to provide quality recreational activities for thousands of our young people. I am glad that we were able to build a first-class softball complex in Bay Minette before she retired because it has been a dream of her's for over 20 years. We wish her all of the best in the future.”

Johnson said the department has seen significant changes and growth in its programming during those 29 years. “In the beginning, the Rec Department was mostly responsible for community service programs,” she said. “I am proud of our city’s investment in offering so many options for our community and kids.”

Those offerings now include youth football, cheerleading, soccer, basketball, youth and adult softball, gym, dance, quilting club, and pickleball. The department also oversees Kelly’s Kids camp, as well as the skating rink, bowling alley and municipal pool.

“Pickleball is the newest program for the city. It is one of my favorites and we opened our first Pickleball season in the Fall of 2018 and hosted our first indoor tournament this summer. The tournament brought in more than 60 participants locally and from surrounding areas,” she said. “Pickleball is a great activity for all ages and lots of fun.”

The Recreation Department added a summer camp to its agenda with the creation of Kelly’s Kids. Johnson said the popular camp is her “pride and joy. The program has given me so many opportunities to reach so many young people as well as establish friendships with their parents.”

Many of her former campers eventually became camp counselors and have worked with the seasonal program. “I will miss sharing my summers with the future Kelly’s Kids and their parents.”

Another source of pride is the construction of a Sports Complex which houses four softball fields, batting cages and a new concession stand. Having played softball through college, Johnson said it was a surreal moment to finally open the sports complex earlier this year.

“Our youth and community are so fortunate to have a facility of this quality. We have worked for years to see this project happen,” Johnson said. “It was a dream come true and I hope it’s the start of many more new projects for our city.”

The department has also seen many changes in its location. Originally, the Rec Department operated out of the former City Hall and then moved to area school gymnasiums and various buildings before finally settling in its current location on McMeans Avenue.

No matter the venue, Johnson said she leaves behind a dedicated staff of co-workers who are more than capable of carrying on in her absence.

“A bittersweet goodbye to my staff; a staff that is second to none and more like family,” Johnson said. “I love each and every one of them and will miss them dearly. I find peace in my departure knowing they share the same passion and vision for our department and the City. Thank you for always surrounding me with loyalty, dedication, love and laughter.”

Johnson may be retiring from the City, but she won’t be slowing down too much as she will continue to referee women’s college basketball games all over the United States. Johnson started officiating intramural games while at USA and eventually worked her way up through middle school, junior varsity and varsity sports. She now calls games for the SEC, Conference USA, Sunbelt, Southland and SWAC.