By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

CALERA – The Calera City Council approved a new employment opportunity with the city during a City Council meeting Oct. 15.

The city is looking to hire a parks and recreation director to manage youth sports programs and oversee city park scheduling and maintenance.

“I’m excited about having the position available. I think it’ll help in the coordinating and scheduling aspect,” Mayor Jon Graham said.

As the city looks to continue construction on its new 58-acre sports complex adjacent to Calera High School, the position will become more vital to the city. Graham said the first phase of the park, which includes infrastructure such as roads and water, as well as athletic fields, will be finished within a year.

Lhoist North America Inc. contributed $7 million to the project previously, Graham said, though the proposed finished product would cost around $12 million.

“With the new park that we’re building, that is going to complicate and increase our ability to play. It also complicates scheduling. It’s all part of our city growing,” Graham said. “I think it’s a very needed position as we grow, and as our parks grow and our population grows.

“It’ll be a vital part of the city of Calera to provide very family friendly experiences for kids playing organized sports or park outings in general,” Graham added.

Graham said the job will be posted at Cityofcalera.org.