The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Mike Dubreuil moved back home at just the right time. After living in the southern part of the province for the better part of 15 years, Dubreuil and his wife decided to move home to Flin Flon. After arriving, Dubreuil heard of a job opening with the City of Flin Flon as the Recreation Manager. He has since been named as the Manager, which will replace Brenda Russell's position of Recreation Director following her retirement. Though Dubreuil hasn't worked in recreation before, he says he's confident and eager to get started. "I think it's a great opportunity to make a difference in what we've got as far as facilities (go) as well as the program we offer," he said. "There's a chance (for an) opportunity and (to) provide an impact in my home town." Dubreuil attended Red River College and received education in management. Since then, he has worked for the past 10 years in various fields. But, the chance came to move home and Dubreuil and his family took it. "It was a decision that my...wife and I made to move back to Flin Flon," he said, noting that he wanted a smaller community for his son to grow up in. Dubreuil says he can't wait to get his feet wet. "I'm really, at this point, looking forward to it," he said. Dubreuil started his position last Monday under the direction of Russell. The two will working together until her retirement in mid October. Over the course of last week, Dubreuil learned more about the facilities in Flin Flon and met the staff. Right now, he's eager to get going. "There's always things that you want to sink your teeth into," he said. "But, at the same time, I'm still learning what the City's priorities are." Russell, who has been with the City of Flin Flon for 25 years, says she sees promise in Dubreuil. "Mike has a solid background with his education. There are business components in recreation, like any other business," she said, noting that his education will "be very valuable." Russell says the fact that Dubreuil is from Flin Flon bodes well for him. "He understands the dynamics and the demographics and the things people enjoy doing in Flin Flon," she said. "And with Flin Flon's unique identity, I think it will present some challenges and, at the same time, Mike will provide some insight from a different prospective." Dubreuil has only been on the job one week, but he's already begun work on a few projects. "I didn't really think that in the first week I'd be able to sink my teeth into something that size, (but) it's great. I love the challenge of it," he said. "They're breaking me in gently," he said with a pause. Russell then added that Dubreuil was being broken in "realistically" into the job. "The wheel keeps spinning no matter what," she said. Being brought up to speed, Dubreuil says, it "gives you an immediate snap shot of what things are like." Neither Dubreuil nor Russell were willing to speak about the projects they were working on, but Dubreuil said "there's definitely some smaller projects on the go right now that (will) have an immediate impact to the community." Russell and Dubreuil will be working together until the fall. Russell says in that time, they will be touring the facilities, meeting the staff and getting a grasp of why some things are done the way they are. "...it's my last chance to tell him what I know and (what) I have learned," she said. "I'm extremely excited," said Dubreuil. "The City is really at a crossroads as far as recreation, so I do have a chance to come in and bring some insight (as) someone who's from here, but also someone who's been gone the better part of 15 years." Dubreuil says he has a "very strong passion" for his home town. "I am absolutely thrilled" about the new position, he said.
