Meet Dan Gallagher, Field Consultant

As a Field Consultant for SPRA, I’m fortunate to get to meet volunteers and professionals throughout the South East District who are dedicated to providing recreational services in their communities. Whether it be a local volunteer or a Recreation Director, they all have the desire to provide quality recreational services. In addition, I often get to tour parks and recreation facilities that are places of pride for communities and often the best places to visit in communities.

I grew up on a farm outside of the village of Tugaske, Saskatchewan. The “Gateway to Lake Diefenbaker” as it is known, is located between the villages of Eyebrow and Elbow. Growing up, I always had an interest in sport and recreation. This eventually led me to earn my Physical Activity Studies degree from the University of Regina in 2004. After convocation, I became the Recreation Director for the Town of Midale. From there, I worked in Yorkton for the Zone 4 Sports Council and the Parkland Valley Sport Culture and Recreation District. I also spent time with the City of Melville as their Recreation Director and then as the Executive Director for the Saskatchewan Association of Recreation Professionals (SARP). 

These experiences have provided me with a strong understanding about policy governance, as well as working in municipalities, with boards and council, and with community groups and volunteers. These experiences help me to discuss parks and recreation during my visits with community leaders. 

During a typical visitation, I like to meet with local leadership. It could be the Recreation Director, a member from the Recreation Board, the Town CAO, or a member of council. We chat about local successes and challenges, and I do my best to connect them with information and resources they will find helpful. Common topics of discussion include engaging volunteers, roles and responsibilities of Recreation Boards, funding for programs and facilities, staffing questions, hiring a Recreation Director, or questions on best practices for recreation facility management. 

With over 90 communities in the South East, I do my best to visit as many as I can. Communities in this region include Pilot Butte, Moosomin, Redvers, Roche Percee, Radville and all communities in between. I am always eager to visit a community, learn about their programs, see their facilities and determine ways SPRA can support and enhance parks and recreation in the community. 

Feel free to contact me if your community is located in south eastern Saskatchewan. Let’s chat! Send me an email or call 306-780-9218.