The crack of the bat sends a small white ball spiraling through the air towards the fence. Jason Weeks knows what it is like to hit a home run, and as he walks around the new facilities at the Currituck County Parks and Recreation the feeling is only duplicated.

From his office window, the Director of the Currituck County Parks and Recreation watches a team practice a game of basketball in the new gymnasium. The squeaking sound of sneakers echoes throughout the gym as balls swish through nets and bounce onto the new floor that glistens from the lights above.

Weeks said the large gymnasium allows two basketball games to run simultaneously.

Teams practice at various school gymnasiums that are close to their homes because of the “geographic layout” of the county, while all the games are now centralized at the new facility, said Weeks.

The building, which also contains the Currituck Family YMCA and the Currituck Senior Center and is next door to the Currituck County Center of the NC Cooperative Extension Agency has “become a destination for our community.”

Weeks also anticipates the construction of the athletic complex adjacent to the building will bring “tournament grade” games to the facility. The complex will include soccer, baseball and softball fields, playground and picnic areas, walking trails and a skateboard park, according to Weeks.

The best aspect of his position has been the “constant change” as Weeks is continually “trying to evolve programs.”

Weeks accepted his position in 2000, and was the first person to hold the official title of Currituck County Parks and Recreation Director.

Weeks is enthusiastic about the growth and development of the department.

“We love it,” said Weeks referring to the new facility. “The community has responded well.”

Weeks said he solidified his decision to work in this field after talking with his professors at East Carolina University. He said his experiences working at the Elizabeth City Parks and Recreation in high school and college also helped guide his decision.

Always interested in sports, Weeks is especially fond of baseball and softball. He grew up playing at the Elizabeth City Boys Club and later at the Elizabeth City Parks and Recreation.

He played all four years while attending Northeastern High School, wearing the gold and green uniform that are also the colors of his favorite professional baseball team the Oakland Athletics.

His passion for the game continues as Weeks plays tournament softball in his spare time. Weeks lives in Newland and enjoys hunting with his dog, Turbo, and fishing.

He said he has a “pretty fulfilling career.” He smiles as he watches the players pass the basketball on the new court.

Anna Goodwin McCarthy is a correspondent for The Daily Advance.