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No typical day for rec center supervisor

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Contributed by: Rebecca Zimmerman/YourHub.com on 6/11/2008

Editor's note: Visit our Faces of Highlands Ranch page, where YourHub.com staff and readers can introduce you to more people who make this part of the metro area what it is.

Leslie Buckingham has a hard time describing what a typical day is like for her as the facilities supervisor at the Eastridge Recreation Center in Highlands Ranch.

"My job is totally random," Buckingham said. "Tomorrow will look nothing like today."

Buckingham, who holds a degree in parks and recreation from Utah State University, has been employed at various recreation centers since 1991.

"I worked at Aurora's recreation facilities and then found the opportunity here in Highlands Ranch," said Buckingham.

Buckingham was an assistant facilities supervisor for a while, until she was promoted to the facilities supervisor about seven years ago.

On June 4, Buckingham was having another random day of work. Buckingham said she usually arrives at Eastridge by 7:30 a.m.

"Morning is my best chance to get stuff done," she said.

Most days Buckingham will start one task, but it quickly turns into another. She said she gets a slew of people coming through her office door daily. Sometimes she even becomes a mediator between community members at the recreation center.

"I'll set out to make phone calls, but instead I'll end up putting out this fire or that fire," said Buckingham. "Someone can't figure out how to do a certain thing, or two people will be fighting over workout equipment."

Besides mediating between the patrons, Buckingham makes sure everything is in top shape on a daily basis at the recreation center. Buckingham has several facilities assistants working for her, and at least one is always walking around the building. Buckingham or one of her assistants will notice when light bulbs are out, fliers are out of order or some painting needs to be done. Buckingham is in charge of the budget and ordering new equipment. She also oversees installation of the equipment.

By 10 a.m. Buckingham had walked the entire building and noticed several light bulbs that needed replaced and a schedule posted by a door that needed to be revamped. As she made her way back to the office and walked through the indoor wading pool, the lifeguards had closed the pool due to a child pooping in the pool.

"According to regulations, we have to close the pool for approximately an hour after clean up when someone poops in the pool," said Buckingham. "We have to keep it closed 24 hours if it is diarrhea."

Buckingham said they work hard to train all of the lifeguards at the facility to respond anything. Buckingham said she, the aquatics manager and all the lifeguards are certified through Ellis & Associates.

"We all get in the pool and practice our skills once a month," said Buckingham. "Just last night a 2-year-old boy started to run a high fever. Our lifeguards responded quickly and called the paramedics."

Buckingham made her way back to the office and was greeted by several other staff members. She and the staff are working on a new online registration system. Buckingham has been inputting information onto the Web site.

"It is going to be really nice by the time it is finished," she said.

Buckingham fielded her staff's questions and was looking forward to an extended lunch break.

"I'm going to make sure the pool is back up and running and then I'm hoping to do some climbing on the rock wall," said Buckingham, who keeps her harness and climbing shoes hanging on her office door.

Even though Buckingham can work up to 45 to 50 hours a week and is on call 24-7, she said she thoroughly enjoys her job.

"You never know what is going to come up next," she said.

Eastridge Recreation Center is located at 9568 University Blvd. in Highlands Ranch. For more information about the facility, go to www.hrcaonline.org.

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