Wobbema to lead park district

The New Rockford Park District fihas a new director, just in time to get summer activities rolling.

The position had been vacant for several months, since Dennis Nybo resigned from the position last October.

But now, Nybo's former assistant pool manager, Macey Wobbema, has officially taken up the position.

Wobbema is a 2022 graduate of New Rockford-Sheyenne and a December 2023 graduate of Dakota College at Bottineau, where she earned a degree in small business management.

Wobbema comes into the position having a decent amount of experience with the New Rockford Park District, having previously worked as a lifeguard for several summers going back to 2020, and then as Nybo's assistant pool manager for the summer of 2023.

Through that experience, Wobbema said she learned several important tasks which are important for any park district director to know, such as chemical testing for the pool, making schedules and much more.

Wobbema said she also learned how to be an effective manager of park district staff, something she obtained from Nybo and plans to implement herself.

"Definitely how you treat people that work under you," said Wobbema about one thing Nybo taught her. "He was so good about that."

She also learned how much she loves working outdoors and enjoys taking on additional responsibility.

"I like being busy," said Wobbema. "Being a lifeguard is fun and you get a lot of responsibility, and then being the assistant manager last year there was even more responsibility, and I liked it."

Wobbema's first official day on the job was April 1, and with summer fast approaching, she's been hard at work getting up to speed.

One of her early focuses is sign-ups for summer activities.

As per usual, this summer the park district will have both youth baseball and softball, as well as swimming lessons.

Back on the list is toddler splash, with two sessions planned for summer.

Those splash sessions, explained Wobbema, will be for young children ages 1-4, and are essentially just opportunities for those kids to get introduced to the water and comfortable around the pool.

Wobbema noted that there will also be three sessions for swimming lessons this summer instead of just two.

Those interested in signing up for lessons or for youth baseball and softball, can find the sign-up forms on the park district's Facebook page.

The park district will host Summer Sign-up on April 17 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the New Rockford Eagles Club, where sign-up forms will also be available.

Meanwhile, the park district is also looking for staff to do coaching, lifeguarding and groundskeeping, as well as people who can work the front desk. Applications for those positions can be found at New Rockford City Hall.

Looking for a unique way to support the New Rockford Park District?

Well, for a $100 donation to the park district – which would go towards updating facilities, programs, etc. – you can have a brick engraved to commemorate your support.

Simply fill out a short form indicating what should be engraved on the brick and attach $100. The forms are available at City Hall, and will be available at the April 17 sign-up event.

Additionally, the park district is again offering advertising opportunities in the form of 3-by-4 foot or 4-by-6 foot banners.

The banners will go on the outfield fencing at Archie and Jessie Campbell Memorial Park (North Park) and Jim Johnson Legion Park (Legion ball park and football field).

The advertising space is open to any businesses or advertisers looking to promote their services at one or both locations.

For more information, Wobbema can be reached by calling (701) 302-8105.

To keep up to date on all things park district and all of this summer's activities, be sure to follow the New Rockford Park District on Facebook.