Cody Englander
Staff writer
Meg Pickard has been director of recreation and fitness center manager for 11 years, responsible for the Chautauqua Golf Club, Chautauqua Tennis Center, Chautauqua Sports Club, John R. Turney Sailing Center, Chautauqua Health and Fitness at the Turner Community Center, Chautauqua’s public beaches and Sharpe Field. It’s an active job, and one she’s ready to pass the baton on. Pickard will be retiring at the end of the calendar year.
“Every year seems to get a little more difficult,” she said. “As I’ve aged, I can no longer shoulder all the physicality of the work.”
She noted her staff as a reason why she’s been able to work with less physicality, noting them as the best part of her lasting legacy.
“They feel more like family at this point than staff,” Pickard said.
Before Chautauqua, Pickard worked in management roles in the City of Jamestown Police Department, Economy Steel and Jamestown area YMCAs. At Chautauqua, one of the biggest changes during Pickard’s time as the director of recreation was the addition of pickleball courts, although it wasn’t quite an easy process.
“When the sport really started to grow and gain momentum, it was difficult to get the data to support the investment in it,” Pickard said.
When it comes to these behind-the-scenes challenges, she faces it like a mystery story.
“I’m a mystery fan,” Pickard said. “I love to read mystery books, and to me, every challenge is a mystery to be solved.”
Pickard hopes whoever assumes her responsibilities is given the chance to build upon the foundation she set.
“I have tried my best because there was very little information for me when I first got here. There was no road map,” she said. “… I’ve tried to create roadmaps for the next generation, whoever it is that assumes my duties.”
It’s unclear if, under recent proposed budget cuts that would leave some positions vacated by retirees unfilled that noted roles of retirees going unfilled, Pickard’s role is included — but she hopes her successor is able to “lean into their own strengths” and has confidence in her supporting staff.
In retirement, Pickard looks to become a champion for people, and noted how the COVID-19 pandemic left many people close to her broken.
“I want to see if I can be a part of their healing,” she said. “… I see the world kind of beating them up, pointing out every mistake they make. I want to be the person that says, ‘Hey, yeah, maybe that didn’t go so well, but you’re doing this really great. So lean into what you do well. Stick with it. Hang in there.’ ”
