The City of Pryor may hire local triathlete Traci Johnson as the new aquatics coordinator for Pryor Creek Recreation Center.

Pryor Budget and Personnel Committee approved hiring Johnson in their Tuesday meeting, and her hire is now waiting

council approval.

Johnson’s salary as

aquatics coordinator will be $26,800 per year.

“She’s a very good swimmer,” PCRC Director Shane Simpson said, adding that Johnson fits in well with the atmosphere of the rec center.

Johnson returned this week from Hawaii, where she competed in the Ironman Championship for triathletes.

New pieces of equipment may be coming to the weight room. The committee recommended the purchase of a new leg press and inner/outer thigh machine, pending council approval.

Simpson asked the committee to approve the equipment from quotes by Cybex. With shipping and handling, the total cost for both machines is $6,753.95 from Cybex. Other quotes were $4,393 from Advanced Exercise Equipment and $8,169.92 from Freemotion Fitness.

Simpson said he has tried out a Cybex leg press and knows it is quality equipment.

Mayor Jimmy Tramel said several pieces of equipment were donated when the rec center first opened. Those machines are starting to wear out.

“We need to get more durable equipment,” he said.

The committee agreed to recommend the Cybex machines. The individual costs of the equipment is $3,286.50 for the leg press and $2,586.50 for the inner/outer thigh machine.

The committee recommended council approval of special pay rates for instructors teaching extra classes at PCRC.

Simpson said the rec center board approved paying instructors a higher fee for teaching special classes, with at least a 25 percent profit margin.

Tramel said “Shane’s done a good job, and the board’s done a good job” trying to raise revenue for the city.

“We’re not in the business to lose money,” put in Simpson.

One early morning class, Wakeup Call, is scheduled to begin Oct. 26 and run four weeks. Simpson said the existing classes at PCRC would continue. Interested participants can contact the rec center at 825-6909.

Committee members recommended the shutdown of the PCRC pool for maintenance and upgrades.

The pool is scheduled for shutdown Dec. 7 to18 for the installation of mandatory drain covers. Simpson said PCRC is required by federal law to install the new drain covers.

Safari Aquatics will replace and install the covers for $8,203. Tramel said the city budgeted $15,000 for the pool shutdown. Safari Aquatics was the company who helped install the pool.

Simpson said PCRC will also do some repairs and maintenance recommended by the health department during the shutdown.