Salem center board to go without director for now

SALEM -- The Salem Community Center will observe its first anniversary without the director who helped oversee its construction and guided it through its inaugural year.
The board of directors of the private, nonprofit facility decided recently not to renew Eric Green's contract, Robert Lecocq, board president, said Monday.
Green, who was hired in April 2001, worked for and was paid by the community center through an arrangement with Kent State University.
He recently reported that the $9.5 million center had reached its membership goal with about 4,700 members. He added that thought already is being put into expanding the facility, located at 1098 N. Ellsworth Ave.
"We think the world of Eric. He's a great guy," Lecocq said, adding that the board was satisfied with his work.
Green's contract was not renewed because the center is refining its administrative structure, Lecocq added.
The board may eventually hire another director, he said, but that search hasn't started.
For now, the center board will oversee the facility's day-to-day operations with the help of staff, Lecocq said.
The center employs about four full-time people and nearly 50 part-time workers.