MacKenzie recognized for leadership
The Truro Sports Heritage Society will host the 2017 Colchester Sports Hall of Fame Induction ceremony Nov. 10 at the Marigold Cultural Centre in Truro.
The public is invited to attend. The following local residents will be inducted: Gary McKinnon (athlete); Herb Peppard (athlete); Jennifer (Lloyd) McKenzie (athlete/builder); Doug MacKenzie (builder); Truro and District Hockey League (builder); 2010 Colleen Pinkney curling team (team).
Over the coming days the Truro Daily News will feature these talented and dedicated individuals and groups that form an important part of our local sports heritage.
Doug MacKenzie
After graduating from Acadia University in 1977 with a bachelor of recreation, Doug worked in Halifax until Sept. 5, 1978. It was this day, at just 23 years of age, that Doug began his career as the third director of Parks, Recreation & Culture for the Town of Truro.
After 39 years of service, Doug recently announced that he will retire in 2017.
Doug’s leadership and commitment to recreation, sport and physical activity is exemplary. He truly understands the importance of recreation and how it can play an important role in the lives of everyone. He believes all people, regardless of ability, should be given the chance to participate in sport/recreational activities.
Community engagement and capacity development are of the utmost importance to Doug; it has been his mission to ensure that his department strives to support the recreation, sport and cultural capacity of our community.
In a news article from February of 1982, Doug was quoted as saying, “nobody else in the province does the same things I do.”
He further explained that most municipalities are involved in direct programming, but the policy in Truro is to provide the facilities for groups to carry out their own activities. He points out better results can be achieved when a group of volunteers with similar interests devote their time and energy to a program. He kept true to that statement throughout his career and helped many individuals and groups develop their capacity to deliver amazing programs.
Identifying and reducing barriers to accessing sport and recreation opportunities is one of the most unique responsibilities of recreation professionals, and Doug has spent a great deal of his career working to ensure there are a multitude of places and spaces for all residents of Truro to enjoy.
Doug was always open to discussing possibilities. He works with people and organizations, where possible, to bring about positive change, such as building new recreation facilities, renovating old ones and creating new programs.
Doug was the first chair of the Truro Sports Heritage Society and has served on the board of directors for Recreation Nova Scotia. He has also worked on the coordination of several Recreation Nova Scotia conferences and countless special events in Truro over the years.
Doug has provided both a great example and great services for citizens living in the Truro area. The legacy of Doug’s passion and actions will continue to benefit young and old for many years to come.
Congratulations to Doug on a well-deserved retirement after providing 39 years of outstanding recreational leadership for the benefit of Truro and Colchester residents.
He is well deserving of his induction into the Colchester Sports Hall of Fame.