Riley Tidlund, Salina, has been hired as the new Recreation Director to serve the Salina, Redmond, and Aurora residents. Born and raised in Salina, Tidlund participated in football, baseball, and basketball and NSHS and has served the American People as part of the National Guard for the past ten years. He has been an active participant in recreation programs throughout his life as both player and coach, and acknowledges that with this being a small town, everyone’s support is welcome, and necessary. “I’m looking forward to this opportunity to serve in the community and my goal is to get more kids involved in the programs we have available,” he said. “We also need to utilize the building to its full potential and work on broadening the horizons of the rec department to better serve our kids and the adults.”
![](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_auto,q_glossy,ret_img,w_423,h_1024/https://salinasun.online/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/FRONT-Tidlund-cmyk-6-423x1024.jpg)
He started work Monday morning and asks for everyone’s patience as the transfer of directors takes place and he said he’s got some big shoes to fill. One of his first priorities is to get the youth basketball program up and running and he said games and practices will begin just as soon as he can get all the coaching positions filled.
He and his wife Jayelynne have two children, Taitum and McCoy and they’re looking forward to this new chapter in their lives. Tidlund will be assisted by Heather Ellett who has been named as building manager. Tidlund can be reached at 435-979-7778 and Ellett at 435-979-4598.