New executive director chosen to lead NL Recreation Authority

A new leader has been tabbed to run the show for the Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority.

Lindsay Taylor was appointed as executive director, according to recreation authority President Patrice Hunsicker.

Hunsicker said Taylor was hired at a salary of $53,000, and will start her new position Monday.

Taylor had previously served as director of parks and recreation for the City of Allentown.

She will replace Mike Kukitz, who left the recreation authority after serving as its executive director since Aug. 1, 2016.

Kukitz took a position as incoming recreation director for the Blue Mountain Recreation Commission in Orwigsburg.

Hunsicker touted Taylor’s know-how and background as being chief among her qualifications.

“She has many years of experience in recreation, and we are excited for her to bring that experience to our community, and look very forward to working with her,” Hunsicker said.

Hunsicker praised recreation authority members Greg Rentschler, secretary, Taylor Jones, vice president, and Debbie Klocek, treasurer, for the “great job” they had done since Kukitz departed.

“They have pretty much been taking care of everything in the interim between Michael leaving and Lindsay coming on board,” she said.

Taylor’s hiring comes as the recreation authority continues its attempts to move forward with the 16,000-square-foot Northern Lehigh Community Center.

The community center, at 545 W. Church St. in Slatington, has been in the works for about 20 years.

The Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority was formed in 2016 and consists of Slatington, Walnutport and Washington Township, with a mission to complete the facility.