Lebanon — The Carter Community Building Association is hiring a Norwich University administrator to replace longtime director Curtis Richardson.

Shelby Gile, a Lebanon resident who is currently the director of the Center for Student Success and Wellness at Norwich University, will begin her new post in early December, according to CCBA Board of Trustees Chairman Bruce Bergeron.

“One of the exciting things about her and the actual programs that she and her staff have been implementing is, it’s not about fitness,” Bergeron said. “It’s a total wellness and fitness approach, which is kind of the direction that the industry is going. We have to take care of the mind as well as the body.”

Bergeron said he hopes that Gile’s experience at the university will translate into more programs and partnerships at the community association.

“She had some wonderful ideas for potential collaborations with other groups in the Upper Valley in an effort to enhance our presence and expand programs,” he said.

A volunteer search committee spent eight weeks fielding a total pool of nearly 50 applicants, Bergeron said. Gile was one of three finalists that the search committee sent to the Board of Trustees. The decision to hire her was unanimous.

“She is highly energetic and an excellent communicator,” he said.

Bergeron said the details of her salary have not been finalized, but that the parties have reached an agreement in principle, and that Gile has given notice to the university.

When the community association opened the Witherell Recreation Center in 1987, it was the only place in the area that offered the general public an indoor swimming pool, but it now faces increased competition for fitness and recreation offerings from other groups, including the River Valley Club and the Upper Valley Aquatic Center.

Bergeron said the community association, which has an annual budget of $1.7 million, has leaned on its endowment more heavily since about 2008, when the local economy was hit by the recession.

Gile replaces Richardson, who ran the community association for 26 years before retiring by mutual agreement in September. Richardson’s salary was $74,900 when he left.

Bergeron said Gile, who has lived in Lebanon for most of her life and has a child in the Lebanon school system, has a deep understanding of the community and the needs of the center.

Matt Hongoltz-Hetling can be reached at mhonghet@vnews.com or 603-727-3211.