Allen named recreation superintendent for City of Lawton

Yolanda Allen has been promoted to recreation superintendent for the City of Lawton, after serving as the activities coordinator for the Patterson Center.

City administrators said she will oversee the new aquatic center, the city’s recreation centers, and maintenance of facilities, including splash pads and wading pools, to ensure they remain in top condition.

With nearly eight years of service to the City of Lawton, city administrators said Allen brings a wealth of experience to the position. She spent 22 years as the health and wellness director at the YMCA, followed by a role as assistant manager at the Rinehart Fitness Center on Fort Sill.

Allen holds a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education and a master’s degree in business.

“Yolanda has 25-plus years of direct experience in the recreation industry between the YMCA and Lawton Parks and Recreation,” said Mitch Dooley, deputy director of Parks. “Her extensive experience includes recreation programming, special event planning, aquatic programming, program evaluation and improvement, community partnership development, and recreation staff supervision. In short, she is perfectly qualified and has all the experience she’ll need to succeed.”

Allen said she plans to expand recreation options at the aquatic center by introducing new classes and programs.

“I want to build a community,” Allen said. “The Patterson Center became a diverse, loving community, and I want to keep that up in my new role.”