When the Weber Leisure Center found its facility manager position suddenly vacant in December, the Skokie Park District looked to fill the position with an expert in recreation and program management. They had to look no farther than the office next door, as Breanne Labus, who won the Illinois Park and Recreation Association’s "Recreation Distinguished Member Award” in March 2018, recently accepted the new position after two years of serving as the facility’s recreation services supervisor.

Labus began her career as an intern at the district and went on to work at the district as the assistant athletic supervisor. She then worked as the arts and youth program manager at the Glencoe Park District, followed by a stint as the leisure services supervisor at the Northbrook Park District.

Over the past two years at the Skokie Park District she has implemented dozens of new early childhood and youth programs for the Weber Leisure Center, as well as managing summer sports camps, Weber birthday parties and Weber’s babysitting operation. She also serves on the district’s Trends Task Force, monitoring current programs and recommending new programming for the entire district.

In her new position, Labus will oversee the operation and management of the Weber Leisure Center and its Fitness First health club, including facility programming and scheduling, and hiring and supervising staff. She will also serve on district special event committees and on the district’s safety committee.

Labus earned a bachelor’s degree in recreation and park administration at Illinois State University and is a nationally certified parks and recreation professional (CPRP). She graduated from the Illinois Park & Recreation Association’s (IPRA) professional development school in 2015, has chaired several IPRA committees, and has presented on the topic of staff training and customer service at the local, state and national levels.

In her spare time Labus enjoys staying active, traveling, and spending time with her husband, family, and friends.