The City of Kinston and Lenoir County are saying goodbye to its Parks and Recreation Director, Corey Povar, who announced his resignation after four and a half years in the role. Povar has accepted a position as Assistant Parks and Recreation Director in the City of Chandler, Arizona.

Povar referred to his departure as "the good bad. Bad good news," adding, "This is one of the toughest decisions I've ever made in my life. You never take it lightly when you're talking about moving your family across the country."

He came to Kinston after earning his graduate degree at UNC Greensboro and working in the parks and recreation sector in both Greensboro and Arizona.

During his tenure in Kinston, he helped secure a grant for Emma Webb Park, which was his top priority when he arrived. "Earning that grant for that park was a huge accomplishment for our department and for our city," he stated.

In the face of the Wood Ducks baseball team's recent announcement to depart Kinston for Spartanburg, SC, he acknowledged the disappointment but highlighted the potential for the facility's continued use.

"Our department, along with city management, our elected officials, are really working hard to encourage those meetings with other baseball providers so that there is continued baseball action there," he said.

Looking forward, Povar emphasized that city-owned facilities like the Community Center face challenges but also opportunities. He mentioned competition from Planet Fitness, which could impact the center's membership.

"It's going to be a bit of adapting to the new environment and kind of pushing a little more eggs into certain baskets that work out well for that facility," he said.

Povar, a native of Emporia, VA, spoke warmly about his experiences in Kinston, mentioning his pride in the Parks and Recreation team as a key factor in the difficulty of his decision to leave.

"This is what made the decision so difficult to leave because I am proud of our team, we have great people," he said.

In terms of programming, he said soccer remains a huge draw, with 350 to 450 children participating each season. Facilities like Fairfield and Holloway rec centers are frequently in use for various activities including pickleball and adult basketball.

As he prepares for his next chapter in Arizona, Povar expressed confidence in the team he's leaving behind. "I think we're on the right path and we have the right leadership in place," he concluded.