Marcia West, the founding and, to-date, only director of Orcas Island Park and Recreation District (OIPRD) submitted her letter of resignation, effective Dec. 15, to the board of commissioners at the regular public meeting in October. The board, who heralds West’s extraordinary contribution to OIPRD, Buck Park and the Orcas Island Community, accepted her resignation with deep thanks and appreciation.

The board of commissioners has appointed current Assistant Director Kim Kimple to interim director, effective immediately. Brooke Bruland will continue in her position as program assistant. It is anticipated that OIPRD will return to full staffing in the first quarter of 2018.

Long-planned and anticipated, West’s retirement was self-directed to coincide with the completion of the renovation and refurbishment of Buck Park.

“It is very difficult to convey to the public the scope of Marcia’s contribution to OIPRD,” Board Chair Bob Eagan said. “As a new junior taxing district, we had to learn state required procedures, follow mandated policies, conform to government accounting, budgeting, and auditing, all of which Marcia actively guided the District through. Setting up a full docket of recreational programming? No problem; Marcia did it.”

Eagan continued, “When it came to the build-out of Buck Park there was bidding, contracting, and oversight of construction, all on a tight timeline and beautifully orchestrated within one year. OIPRD simply could not have had a stronger set of start-up years. Marcia was, and is, a very large part of that success story.”

During West’s term, OIPRD grew from two programs serving approximately 95 participants in 2012, to 131 programs serving 2,356 participants in 2017. Programs have covered all ages and have ranged from game clubs to sports leagues, and a series of creative explorations such as arts, sciences, technology and engineering for kids.

In addition to program growth, West’s tenure spanned ambitious renovations at Buck Park. Facility improvements have included renovation of the ball fields and dugouts, a new children’s play area, repair and re-piping of the park utilities and drainage systems, the addition of new facilities including sand volleyball courts, pickleball courts, a new tennis backboard and the list goes on.

“Marcia is leaving OIPRD with great systems, solid policies, and the financial resources we need to provide quality programming and maintain the terrific jewel of a park Buck Park has now become,” Eagan said. “The entire community owes a big thank you to Marcia West for her service!”