Riga Rec director puts knowledge to work

Riga's new Recreation Director David Thomas.

Riga Rec director puts knowledge to work

Riga's new Recreation Director David Thomas, a Riga resident for 19 years, has been on the job since April 2. He's working to keep the programs begun by his predecessor Matt Beeman already in place viable and is creating new programs for residents that are different, unique and never been offered in Riga before.

Thomas said some of those new programs include "pickleball" and "BALF" which is a combination of softball, baseball and golf. Thomas is also hoping to create new programs to keep seniors in Riga active. Thomas said it is very important for seniors to get up and get moving, "You've got to get out and get around as best as you can," he said. Thomas said the Town of Riga also has a van that can be used by seniors who need some assistance getting around.

For the first time this year, Thomas said, Riga youth participated in the "Pitch, Hit and Run" contest sponsored by Major League Baseball and Pepsi. Thirty young people traveled to Oakfield to compete. Those with the highest scores in New York state have a chance to travel to Yankee Stadium to pitch, Thomas said.

Thomas said his background has been very helpful in his new position in recreation. He retired in 2005 from the Greece Central School District where he taught first, third, fifth and sixth grades before teaching physical education for 21 of his 33 years with the district. He also served as recreation director for the Town of Wheatland before moving to Riga from Scottsville. Thomas has substituted for the Churchville-Chili District and serves as the varsity girls softball coach at Churchville-Chili High School.

Thomas said he loved teaching dearly and his familiarity with the Churchville-Chili district is very helpful because many teachers and students who participate in recreation programs know him. Thomas also hopes to work on joint recreation programs with the Town of Wheatland. One possibility might be a floor hockey program which could be combined by the two towns. Games would then be played alternately in Riga and Wheatland.

Thomas has been working with Village of Churchville Mayor Nancy Steedman on developing walking trails in the village. "Nancy has been very kind and gracious," he said. The trails, which would cover both the east and west sides of the village, would include a one mile loop and a two mile loop, Thomas said. He is also working to book a summer concert at the gazebo in the village.

One thing that has been difficult for Thomas to get used to is spending time sitting in an office behind a desk. Thomas said as a former physical education teacher he is used to getting out there and doing things. He said he wants to do that in his job as recreation supervisor. "I want to get out there and run some programs myself," he said. Thomas said he loves the job and has enjoyed meeting many new people. "People have been very gracious and helpful," he said.