Please welcome Gavin Scray to his new role as director of the Lunda Community Center in Black River Falls. A native of the Green Bay area, Gavin joins the community team from the Pleasant Prairie RecPlex.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
My relationship with activity and community involvement began as a young child. Like much of our youth today, my parents ushered me between baseball games, boy scouts and everything in between. From there I went on to play a variety of high school sports and eventually at a collegiate level. For me, attending UW-La Crosse was the obvious next step, because continuing my education in my passion was a priority. While attending school, I gained valuable experience working with a number of community rec centers. In 2011 I graduated with a BS and MS in Recreation management. My role has shifted from solely overseeing programs to my most recent position as programs and services coordinator, where I managed staff and oversaw facility operations.
What does Jackson in Action mean to you?
JIA means community, activity and opportunity.
JIA is a great cause. As a recreation professional, I’ve had the opportunity to see the benefits of activity impact people. It’s truly amazing …it can change you and your perspective on life. The Lunda Community Center is a member of the JIA Coalition along with other community partners: Black River Memorial Hospital (BRMH), Jackson County Public Health (JCPH), Ho-Chunk Nation (HCN), and Jackson County UW-Extension (UWEX).
What are your priorities for the new community center in the coming years?
Ultimately the mission statement of the community center is to create positive leisure, social and educational experiences through stewardship which enhance well-being and quality of life across generations.
What exactly does that mean? Well, come next spring the building will be complete. Our goal will be to fill it… encourage people to use it. Every aspect of the facility is catered to a different population of the community. The design, the layout and the programming is all developed with the intent to be dynamic. A large hurdle will be creating awareness and educating Jackson County on what we have to offer.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
I hunt, I fish, I camp …and usually if I’m not doing one of those three things I’m preparing for it. I really just enjoy being active and in the outdoors.