Gehle honored as GRPA’s top professional

MOULTRIE — Those who have worked closely with Rick Gehle over the 11 years he has been the director of the Moultrie-Colquitt County Parks and Recreation Department have been familiar with the professionalism with which he goes about his work.

And last week, at the Georgia Parks and Recreation Association’s annual convention at Jekyll Island, Gehle was recognized publicly by his peers as well.

Not only did he receive the Roy Hammond Award for distinguished service and dedication to The Georgia Games, Gehle also was named the GRPA’s 47th Professional of the Year.

“I was surprised, honored and humbled,” Gehle said.

But the awards were well-earned, said Moultrie City Manager Tony Rojas.

“Rick has always been recognized as one of the best recreation directors in the state,” said Rojas, who became city manager just months after Gehle was named recreation director in the fall of 1991. “And one thing I always knew about Rick was his real concern for our youth. His heart and concern are always with them.

“If he is going to err, he is going to err on the side of youth and participation. He’s always done what he can to enhance participation.”

A native of New Jersey, Gehle attended Georgia Southern, where he ran cross country. He went on to work for the Bulloch County Parks and Recreation Department, where facilities were his specialty.

When Jim Buck Goff died in 1991 after having led the recreation department since its inception in the early 1950s, Gehle was chosen to succeed him.

Since then, he has presided over a vast overhaul of the recreation department facilities, including the building of the Magnolia Sports Complex, with its four youth baseball fields; the development of the Jim Buck Goff Recreation Complex, with its girls softball fields, diving facility, tennis courts and administrative office; the interactive playground pool; the construction of Drew Herrington Field; the building of the Willie Frank Ryce Community Center; and renovations to both gymnasiums and pools.

“Rick has managed the growth of our facilities and the restructuring of our programs,” Rojas said. “And he is in a community where recreation is a priority. He made our recreation master plan and got public input. We were funded with SPLOST (special local option sales tax) money.

“That showed the public recognizes the value of recreation.”

The SPLOSTs in 1992 and 1994 have enabled some $3.6 million to be used for the recreation department’s renovation and construction projects.

Gehle manages the 20-employee recreation department with its $1.1-million budget. As recreation director, he has come under fire on occasion, criticized by segments of the public over the direction of the program.

“He’s got a tough job,” Rojas said. “It’s tougher than mine. But he’s always professional.

“He listens to public input and makes changes when appropriate.”

Gehle began his affiliation with the Georgia Games while still in Statesboro. He has taken an active role with The Games since he has been in Moultrie and is the director of the 28-county District 10, which stretches from Valdosta to Bainbridge and north to Albany and lee County.

Colquitt County has annually played host to the most events in the district, generally 10-12 each spring and summer, with participants vying for medals and receiving T-shirts.

The Georgia Games Commission was created in 1989 and is run by a 13-member board. It primary goals are to promoted health, physical fitness and the participation in amateur sports by citizens of all ages and skill levels.

The Georgia Games award is named for the late Roy Hammond, who was a recreation director in Dublin, Gainesville and Dahlonega. Gehle is the third recipient of the award, giving to someone involved in the Games who exhibit leadership qualities.

Gehle and wife Sherri, a kindergarten teacher at Okapilco Elementary, have three children: daughter Piper, a former Colquitt County High cross country runner and soccer player now attending Georgia Southern; daughter Paxton, a senior at Colquitt County wh





o also runs cross country and plays soccer; and son Paul, a fourth-grader at Okapilco.

Gehle is the vice president of the Moultrie Kiwanis Club, is on the Communities in Schools board and mentors a student at Willie J. Williams Middle School.