The future executive director of the Columbus Lowndes Parks and Recreation Authority spoke to the Columbus Kiwanis Club on Wednesday.
Greg Lewis told the group about his plans for the organization. Describing himself as “altruistic,” the Columbus native said he has a heart for serving the community.
“I truly feel it’s a pleasure to serve,” he said.
Lewis, who served as programs director with CLPRA before his recent appointment as executive director in October, said the CLPRA has 18 parks, 20 buildings, 20 athletic fields, three gymnasiums, 18 pavilions, 15 playgrounds and approximately 160 acres. Lewis’s appointment as executive director begins Jan 1.
Lewis said he plans to continue offering current programs, as well as trying some new ideas. Expanding the soccer complex is one of his top priorities, he said.
“It is my intention that we are going to continue those programs successfully, to expand and try new things to make sure that we’re reaching out to all of our citizens,” he said. “We’re going to continue to carry out those phases at the soccer complex. The soccer complex has been very, very good to us. We’ve been there three years now and basically there are only two state tournaments that we haven’t hosted.”
In addition, Lewis said he also wanted to focus on collaborations between the CLPRA and local businesses.
For his upcoming role as executive director, Lewis told the crowd to refer to the Dr. Seuss book, “Oh, the places you’ll go!”
“If you would just refer to that, that gives you just a layout of the things that I’m going to do, the things that we’re going to do,” he said.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.