The Shelbyville Parks and Recreation Department is seeking a new director.
Rob Van Til, the current parks director, has announced his resignation to return to work for the YMCA in Greensburg. He stated on Wednesday at the parks board meeting that Friday is his last day in Shelbyville.
“I’m a ‘Y’ guy and you don’t always know that until you leave the family and then you look back and think that’s the work I need to be doing,” said Van Til Wednesday afternoon.
Van Til will be the executive director of the Decatur County Family YMCA. He replaced Karen Martin in January as director of the parks department. Martin held that role for 22 years before retiring.
“It was definitely a tough decision. I met a lot of cool people here but, in the end, it was what’s right for my family and home life,” said Van Til.
Moving into a parks department setting proved challenging for Van Til, who admits he gained a wealth of knowledge in his short stint in Shelbyville.
“I learned a lot about city government and the way it works,” he said. “The difference between the non-profit world and the government world is the biggest takeaway I have from this.
“And the biggest difference for me is the amount of facilities. The ‘Y’ has one building and you know what’s going on in your building all the time. It’s one building versus the parks department where everything is spread out around town.”
In other board business Wednesday:
- Van Til confirmed the parks impact fee will cover the cost of two new shelter houses that will be built at the Meridian Park Family Aquatic Center and the Canoe Drop at Blue River Memorial Park.
- Doggie Day at the aquatic center (photo) on Aug. 14 brought in 151 people and 71 dogs for the final two hours of the center’s 2022 season. The fundraiser for the Shelbyville/Shelby County Animal Shelter raised $613 that will benefit the shelter’s surgery and neuter fund.
- Board heard that preparations are underway for the parks department’s annual Halloween Fun at the Park which will be held Oct. 7 at Blue River Memorial Park.
