By CRAIG FREILICH

POTSDAM – Joint Town/Village Recreation Director Tim Carey is retiring after 30 years supervising programs at the Pine Street Arena, Sandstone Park and Postwood Park.

“It’s always fun working with young kids and I always enjoy the change of seasons from ice in the arena to summer programs in the parks” on the Raquette River, Carey said. “It’s different every day.”

He said he will be staying in the area and will “stick around to help my replacement.” The search for that person is under way.

“I will miss the kids, especially in the summer program, with the kids learning to swim, and in the winter, seeing the beginning figure skaters and hockey players,” he said.

The changes he recalls seeing include the “major upgrades” to the arena at Sandstone Park in 2005, which included new refrigeration, boards, glass and roof work.

“You try to do your best and keep up with things,” he said.

During his time as recreation director upgrades were made outside the arena too, including a new pavilion, improvements to the playground, expansion of the ball fields, and improvements at Postwood Park in Hannawa Falls.

Carey also said he will miss “the ups and downs, the challenges,” but plans on staying busy.