New City Recreation Director Appointed

A new woman will be in charge of the 's Recreation Department, effective later this summer.

City Council members approved the appointment of Kirsten Barnes Monday night.

Barnes is currently General Manager with Lifetime Fitness in West St. Louis County, and has worked in supervisory positions in city recreation departments in Sprinfield, MO and Lake St. Louis, according to her LinkedIn profile and in brief comments made Monday night.

Barnes emerged from a field of a nearly 100 resumes and 12 interviewed candidates, according to City Adminstrator Mark Perkins.

Barnes said she looked forward to bringing her experience in programming activities as well as her business background to the position.

Near the top of the list for Barnes will be working with city leaders toward making the city's Ice Arena and Golf Course stand up financially on their own instead of requiring budget transfers from city funds.

Efforts to find private firms to operate some of the facilities were not successful in recent years, but Perkins cited cost-cutting measures and new marketing strategies Monday as signs progress was being made.

City resident Scott Simon encouraged city leaders Monday to pursue corporate sponsorships for recreation facilities.

Barnes starts August 20. 

. A city spokeswoman said Thies offered no explanation behind the move. Thies has declined comment.