Lomas new ML rec coordinator

Medical Lake residents will notice a new face coordinating the parks and recreation department's activities.

Ivanna Lomas was hired as the new recreation coordinator for the city of Medical Lake, taking over for Ashlee King who recently took part-time counselor positions at Hallett Elementary School and The Community School in Spokane.

Lomas interned with King for the summer prior to becoming Medical Lake's recreation coordinator. She also works part-time as a recreation assistant with the city of Airway Heights' parks and recreation department. With two week already under her belt, Lomas said her job at Medical Lake so far has consisted of learning about the city's budget process and getting to know staff.

"We also finished fall sports registration so I've got equipment bags in my office ready and I've got to get the teams ready," she added.

Lomas grew up in Lynden, Wash., and graduated high school in 2011. She attended Eastern Washington University where she immediately "fell in love with the campus." She said she initially wanted to be a physical education teacher, but later changed her major to recreation in her junior year.

"I decided recreation was where I wanted to be," Lomas said. "There's the sports side, which is something I'm really passionate about. You also get a taste of the community and you get to know the kids in the programs. It fits me really well."

Lomas began working for EWU CampusRec as a referee and a director. Andy Gardner, Airway Heights parks, recreation and community services supervisor, reached out to Lomas' boss, Mike Campitelli, CampusRec director, and asked if he knew anyone who could be a referee for winter sports.

"Mike said 'yeah I have someone right here,' pointing to me," Lomas said. "I didn't mind making some extra cash on Saturdays."

Over time, Lomas' role at Airway Heights grew from referee to recreation assistant with the parks department, while running CampusRec's social media at the same time. For the last 20 months, Lomas has learned different aspects on how to coordinate activities and events. She also learned the importance of building the relationships with the community through the recreation's programs, which she'll implement into her new job.

"I'm really appreciative of what Airway Heights has done for me," Lomas said. "I really wanted that knowledge and Andy really allowed me to learn from him."

Lomas came in contact with Medical Lake after King contacted Gardner and asked if he knew anyone who could intern with her.

Lomas described herself as King's "shadow" during her internship at Medical Lake. She learned how King organized various activities, and also organized the city's first 5K run in July, which had 70 participants. She hopes to make the 5K a yearly event.

When the Medical Lake recreation coordinator job opened, King, City Administrator Doug Ross and Mayor John Higgins asked if she wanted to apply for the position. One week later, Lomas was hired without an interview.

"I think my whole internship was kind of the interview," Lomas said.

During her time in Medical Lake, Lomas said she would like to expand the before-school program at Hallett Elementary School and eventually create an afterschool program. She would also like to have concerts and movies at Waterfront Park during the summer, something the city has done in the past.

"I want to get the community involved and show them what parks and rec can bring to them," Lomas said.

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].