EAST PROVIDENCE, RI – The East Providence Recreation Director, Diane Sullivan has announced her retirement after 43 years of service to the city.
Sullivan, who began her career in 1982 at the age of 18, started as a part-time recreation leader and quickly became a pivotal part of the recreation team. Sullivan would go on to become the arts and crafts director, before accepting a full-time position in 1987 as the Recreation Center Office Manager and just one year later she would be promoted to Recreation Center Coordinator.
In October of 2014, Sullivan would be promoted to Recreation Director where she would lead the department with integrity, empathy and humility over the next decade.
Sullivan played a pivotal role in annual East Providence traditions, including Winterfest, the Independence Day weekend coordination and firework display and she also helped navigate East Providence through the unprecedented global outbreak of COVID-19 by helping open and operate a regional COVID site.
(Mayor statement) “I have been fortunate to have known Diane Sullivan as the Recreation Director since the start of my administration,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “She has been the epitome of a can-do attitude and has proven time and again that whenever she is assigned a task, that she will get results, she will be truly missed.”
Mayor Bob DaSilva has announced that the new Recreation Director for the City of East Providence will be Rebecca Chace.
Chace first started with the City of East Providence part-time as a special needs recreation leader in 1986 and would continue that important work for 14 years.
In September of 2000, Chace would accept a full-time position as the Recreation Center Supervisor.
Chace is a familiar face in the East Providence community, playing a pivotal role in running East Providence’s Summer Recreation day camp as well as implementing programs at the recreation center. Chace has also been hands on in day-to-day operations where she has supported Diane Sullivan over the past decade.
“I am excited to step into the role of Recreation Director and I look forward to continuing our programs while expanding on recreation opportunities for residents of all ages,” Rebecca Chace said.
Chace will officially begin in her new capacity as Recreation Director effective January 2, 2026.
“The decision to elevate Rebecca Chace from Recreation Center Supervisor to the Recreation Director position was an easy one, her extensive experience and background working with the Recreation department positioned her well for the new role,” Mayor Bob DaSilva said. “Chace has taken a very similar path to Diane, starting with the city of East Providence at a young age and spending the vast majority of their careers within the city, I believe Chace has a considerable understanding of the position and will do a great job for the residents of our city.”
