Former Olympian to head up rec commission - Stonewall Argus and ...

By Darren Ridgley

Posted 7 hours ago

WOODLANDS/ROSSER - The Rosser-Woodlands Recreation Commission (RWRC) has a new recreation and special events coordinator, and she?s eager to lend her experience to the role.

Fiona Smith-Bell has taken on the job, replacing outgoing coordinator Chris Proctor. Proctor has been with the commission since it was created, and has been the driving force behind numerous programs the commission has undertaken, including open gym nights held in the community and the South Interlake Great Ei8ht Challenge.

Proctor is leaving the position to attend medical school in the fall, and looks back fondly on his years with the RWRC.

?It?s been a great couple of years, the commission has really seemed to get into the public eye,? Proctor says of his time with the RWRC.

?I think for all these small towns, having a regional, more broad scope kind of group looking out for them is a big plus.?

His replacement has more than her fair share of experience in sports and rec. Smith-Bell, an inductee into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame (she originally hails from Edam, SK), was named captain of the first Saskatchewan women?s hockey team to play in the Canada Winter Games, according to the hall of fame?s website.

The site?s profile of her says Smith-Bell also played for the Canadian national women?s team from 1994 until her retirement in 2002. While with the team, she played in the Three Nations Cup multiple times, winning three gold and one silver medal. She has also earned gold medals from the International Ice Hockey Federation Women?s World Championship and the Pacific Rim Championship.

She was also part of the Canadian women?s team which played in the 1998 Winter Olympics, where they won silver.

Smith-Bell was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame just this past June. She moved to Stonewall with her family nearly three years ago.

She says she?s ?really looking forward? to taking over the job at the RWRC. She says that, coming from a small town herself, she understands the importance of building rec programs from the ground up.

?I realize the importance of community, and reaching out not only to the grass roots level, but to all age levels,? she says.

?I know the community is going to have to adjust to me, because Chris is so well known. I?m looking forward to going out into the communities and reaching out and meeting some new faces... I think it?ll be a great experience.?

Her experience playing hockey at the national and international level have also contributed to her understanding of the importance of sport.

?Sport has given me so many opportunities and taught me so many life lessons,? Smith-Bell says.

?I?ve been very fortunate that I?ve been able to compete at the elite level, and loved every minute of it.?

She says she?s also taught at fastball camps, taught power skating and coached soccer over the years.

?I think, in general, healthy living and going out and living an active lifestyle... I just believe it?s so important to stay healthy and go out into the communities and give them opportunities.?

While Proctor will be handing over the reins of the commission to Smith-Bell, he says he?ll be around in a limited capacity for a little while yet to help her transition into the role.

Smith-Bell says she plans on building on what the commission already has in place, but she?s brainstorming new types of programming as well. Specifically, she?s very interested in looking at possible before-school programs which involve physical activity, to get kids active in the morning before school. Smith-Bell is a big fan of morning workouts and says it contributes to better overall energy levels throughout the day.

The RWRC can be reached by phone at (204) 461-4040, or by e-mail at rosserwoodlandsrec@mymts.net. Smith-Bell begins at the commission full-time Sept. 5.

Source: http://www.stonewallargusteulontimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3601200

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