If you have lived in Tega Cay eight or more years, it's hard to describe how much the community has changed and grown.  When Charlie Funderburk started working for the City of Tega Cay in 2001, his main responsibility was to take a parks and recreation program that was run completely by volunteers and turn it into a program that was managed by the City.
 
"I'll be honest with you . . . those first six months, I wondered what I had gotten myself into.  I had come from Rock Hill Parks and Recreation which is one of the largest P&R programs in the state.  Then at the age of 25, I was faced with some community opposition about how parks and recreation should be developed and managed.  Back then we had a lot of people saying 'that's not how we've always done things,'" says Charlie. 

 

According to Charlie, change and growth in parks and recreation was simply in response to the growth of the community.    "We went from a community with mostly "empty nesters" to a population of young families.  Families that were very sports minded.  Eight Years ago, 75-80% of our youth participants were non-residents.  Today, 65-75% of our participants are residents.  We went from 300 participants - to now - approximately 1,200 participants.  I like to think of our programs as a living breathing organisms that need to change and evolve."
 
So how does a 25 year old survive and manage such change?  Charlie credits the support of Leory Springs Complex and the dedication of volunteers such as Todd Baker and Jamie Bennett and many others.  "Thank God for those guys. They stuck in there." says Charlie.  Charlie adds that, at the time, Mayor Bob Runde was Chairperson of Parks & Recreation and was also very supportive.
 
Moreover, Charlie admits that as he has matured and gained experience, he has learned a lot. "As I began to understand and appreciate the uniqueness of the community, I think I was better able to adjust and shape programs," said Charlie.  "At the end of each season we evaluate to see if there is a better way to do things."
 
Important to keep in mind is that as Parks & Recreation Director, Charlie was largely responsible for park and field maintenance, in addition to running the sport programs, until 2005.  Then in Fall of 2007, Joey Blethen was hired as the Recreation Coordinator.
 
"We were VERY lucky to get Joey.  His primary focus is youth sports.  He does a wonderful job.  He has the focus, ability and desire to respond to participants in the program.  Before Joey, I often found myself spread too thin to respond to numerous emails and phone calls in a timely fashion.  Joey is dead on in responding to parents, coaches, and the needs of participants. Joey has changed our programs for the better.  He has brought new and fresh ideas," says Charlie.
 
With the addition of Joey on staff, Charlie says he is able to truly be an Operations Director; thereby, overseeing the planning and maintenance of the programs, facilities, and parks - all components of parks and recreation - as well as the overall community.  "Every day I get to do something different.  I really enjoy getting involved in the infrastructure.  Right now we are looking at breaking ground on a 10 acre 'Catawba Park.'  In two to three years, we're looking at plans for an additional 69 acres.  It's exciting to be a part of it all," says Charlie.