Community / Recreational trust manager to retire after 25 years in role
THE GENERAL manager of Shetland Recreational Trust, James Johnston, is to retire at the end of August after 25 years in the job.
Johnston was the original assistant manager at the then new Clickimin Centre when it opened in March 1985, and he was appointed manager in April 1988.
He then became general manager of the trust in August 1995.
“I have worked for 35 years here, the last 25 in the privileged position of leading the organisation, and it has been the most wonderful and rewarding career,” Johnston said.
“Over that time, we have progressed from having only Clickimin, with admissions in the region of 120,000 per year, to eight facilities around the islands with nearly 800,000 people coming through the doors annually. In the early days, we had just 20 employees; now we have over 200.
“Those staff have been fantastically loyal and effective, and it has been an honour to work alongside them in what are great facilities that have a hugely positive impact on Shetland society.
“I will leave with many great memories and I wish the staff and trustees well for the future.”
Recreational trust chairman Bryan Leask added: “We owe James an enormous debt of gratitude for all his years guiding the organisation and establishing it as the force for good in Shetland that it is.
“His wisdom and knowledge will be missed, and as we begin the process of recruiting his successor I would like, on behalf of the trustees, to wish him the very best for the future.”
Shetland Recreational Trust runs seven rural leisure centres as well as the Clickimin Leisure Complex in Lerwick.
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