Northampton Borough Council this evening is expected to choose a new director for the Northampton Recreation Center.

The individual appointed will replace Bob Weinhofer, who is retiring.

Borough Manager Gene Zarayko and council was surprised by the unusually large number of individuals who applied for the post.

"We had 280 persons applying for the job of recreation center director," Zarayko said.

Among the more interesting applications was one from a doctor in the Dominican Republic and one from an individual from Saudi Arabia. Borough residents also sought the position.

A committee consisting of council members, council President John Yurish and Zarayko reviewed all the applications and pared the numbers down several times, from 40 to, ultimately, just four.

Applicants who survived the cuts were interviewed.

"The four last applicants have a background in recreation," Zarayko said.

He noted this is an important qualification for the position.

Weinhofer's 2013 salary, set by council, is $49,939. The salary offered to the new person is likely to be lower, Zarayko said.