Uintah County Recreation Center Executive Director Dan Rodgerson and Human Resources Director Phillip Oviatt have tendered their resignations to the Uintah County Recreation District Board Of Trustees, Steve Evans, vice chair/treasurer, announced Jan. 2.

Evans said he could not comment on the nature of the resignations, saying that because it was a personnel matter “we cannot release any information about it.”

He did say, however, the two former employees left their jobs “to pursue other interests” but could not elaborate on what those other interests were.

Though the UCRD is not willing to comment on the resignations, the Vernal Express reported in its Dec. 3 edition that Rodgerson and Oviatt, the former Vernal Regional Airport manager, had been placed on administrative leave in late November due to internal allegations of a hostile work environment, according to Robin O’Driscoll, director of the center. O’Driscoll worked under Rodgerson at that time. Both resignations came on the heels of an independent investigation O’Driscoll said was conducted by Salt Lake City’s Lowther and Associates, as well as several closed-door meetings held by the UCRD board.

On Jan. 5, O’Driscoll said there was no controversy at the recreation center. “Everything is good here.” Asked for details surrounding the hostile work environment allegations, O’Driscoll said, “No comment.”

Rodgerson resigned Dec. 17 from the position he held for the past three years.

Oviatt resigned Dec. 31 after nine months on the job.

Evans said Rodgerson had committed to working 18 months with the district. “He has enjoyed over three years here in the Basin and now that the community center is up and running he would like to pursue interests closer to his daughters (on the Wasatch Front).”

In December, the 10-member UCRD board of directors — Laquita Peterson, chairperson, Evans, Fran Harding, Bert Clark, Shane Frost, Ace Davis, Rick Reynolds, Dave Haslem, Gordon Kitchen and Anita Nokes — was to have released a press release to the media that would have outlined the reasons for Rodgerson’s and Oviatt’s then-pending resignations, said Clark.

Evans said no such release is forthcoming. “The attorneys (for all parties involved, which includes the UCRD) will not allow that to happen.”

gparker@vernal.com, pmullikin@vernal.com