Christensen is new Recreation Director

The City of Ogden Recreation Department is undergoing some changes in an attempt to bring community youth activities under one umbrella. Currently the city administrator has been coordinating the summer baseball/softball programs and basketball. The flag football and volleyball programs which have been offered for some years, have operated separately. These programs serving youth sixth grade and under, will now all be coordinated through the city.

Jessica Christensen was recently hired by the City of Ogden.

As Ogden’s new recreation coordinator, Christensen will be responsible for all aspects of the Ogden Recreation Department: planning, organizing, marketing, administrating and supervising these youth activities.

“Recreational sports are vital to our community, because we are small,” says Christensen. “We would like very child to have the opportunity to participate.”

Christensen, who started her new part-time position the first of August says this year, since most everything is already in place, will run as is. 

She has been attending football meetings and getting to know the program, which she feels has functioned very well in the past. A parent and coaches meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 21. Practices are set to begin Thursday, Aug. 30 at the high school practice field. Games for the third through sixth graders will be played Sunday afternoons, and will include boys and girls. 

Volleyball registration forms will be sent home with students the first week of school. Christensen will spend time learning the ins and outs of the Aces volleyball program in preparation of taking it over. 

Plans are for the third and fourth grade to practice on early out days. Fifth and sixth grade will be on the court Saturday mornings. The goal of the Aces program has been to introduce the sport, teach fundamental skills, then scrimmage which Christensen feels can provide a catapult for those who may want to do AAU ball. “We want to build a foundation in each of the sports and help them learn to play at a competitive level if they choose to do so.”

Read more in the Aug. 22 issue of The Ogden Reporter.