Thanks for picking up a copy of MRD’s Summer 2013 activity guide! In contemplating my message for this guide, I considered my usual topic: efforts to bring Montrose its 1st multi-purpose Community Recreation Center. While this is certainly relevant discussion, what matters just as much in MRD accomplishing our mission to build community and sustain and improve the quality of life in Montrose, is our people. 
    So, I’d like to recognize and thank the great people who are at the core of the service we provide. This includes our seasonal and part-time staff, 210 in 2012, who work diligently in providing recreational opportunities that provide abundant personal and community-wide benefits. This includes services in aquatics, youth activities, adult programs, 50+ services, general interest, fitness/wellness…the list goes on and on and the number of positions is far too many to list. And then there are our wonderful volunteers, which I’ll save for a future message. 
    Additionally, the great fellow full time staff members I have the privilege of working with every day. This team comprises the core of the organization, 10 dedicated colleagues with 100+ years of MRD experience.

• Coz Sisneros: Over 36 years serving the community
• Tom Thomas: Over 20 years serving the community
• Lorie Orme: Over 13 years serving the community
• Justin Mashburn: Over 7 years serving the community
• Tracie Rief: Over 6 years serving the community
• Wade Ploussard: Over 5 years serving the community
• Liz Gracesun: Over 5 years serving the community
• Cindy Marino: Over 5 years serving the community
• Mike Lopez: Over 4 years serving the community
• Melissa Lords: Over 3 years serving the community

    A major reason why I believe Montrose should have the multi-purpose Community Recreation Center (CRC) it needs is because this team has proven we have the capability to be good stewards of public resources, resources mobilized to best serve the community. Interacting with any of the fine individuals listed above will reveal that MRD is ready to better serve the needs of the community in a more efficient and cost-effective way with a multi-purpose CRC rather than our current, limited indoor facility. 
    Please help me thank these hard working public servants by giving us the greatest possible compliment: you and your family’s participation in MRD programs and services.

Thanks for being a patron! -Ken

Questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at or 249-7705. 

    Welcome to MRD’s 2013 Summer Activity Guide. I would like to introduce myself, my name is Jason Ullmann and I am honored to be wrapping up my first year of service as an MRD board member. I have lived in Montrose for six years now and my family and I, which consists of my wife Jessica and our three children, LOVE it here! I am a frequent user of the Aquatic Center and our children have benefited from all the great programs the MRD offers from youth sports to swim lessons. 
    How fast time flies, as it seems like only weeks ago, I, and many others, were knocking on doors in our community to explain the many benefits Recreation Center would provide for Montrose. Now, as a board member, I am excited to help MRD plan for the future and be involved in improving ALL the great things that the MRD does for our community, from facilities to programming. 
    In the short year I have been on the board, I am impressed with my fellow board members and their commitment to improving the quality of life for our community and astounded at how many people, from staff to volunteers to participants the MRD touches in our community. 
    I was a very full first year for me as we have already accomplished many goals that the new Board started with last May, including the purchase of 26 acres for expansion and partnering with the City to make administration of the MRD more efficient and cost effective. Another important development during the past few months was the announcement regarding the founding of the Montrose Recreation Foundation. I would like to say thank you to the twelve individuals that care enough about the health of Montrose to step up and take a position on the Board of Directors for this newly formed non-profit organization that will be a great partner with MRD in improving the quality of life in Montrose. 
    I think I speak for the rest of the Board when I say that we don’t intend to slow down in the next year and look forward to our continued work to more fully serve the citizens of the Recreation District. I encourage you to look through the pages of this guide and like my family, see what programs you may fit into as a participant or volunteer. 
    Thank you again for the chance to serve and I wish everyone a great summer!

Jason Ullmann, MRD Board Member