Community leaders, Y staff, supporters, and board members gathered poolside at the South Shore YMCA Emilson branch in Hanover on a very hot June afternoon, the perfect setting to celebrate the dedication of a state-of-the-art outdoor aquatic center that brings joy and connection to children and families all summer long.
On this fitting day, the YMCA officially named the beloved facility the Dacey Family Outdoor Aquatic Center, honoring Jay and Marylynne Dacey and their family, whose generosity has made a lasting impact on the South Shore community, and will continue to do so for generations to come.
FROM VISION TO REALITY
The Outdoor Aquatic Center began as an ambitious vision at a pivotal moment. Coming out of the pandemic, YMCA leadership recognized the growing importance of outdoor spaces: places where children could play freely, families could reconnect, and community could thrive.
The goal was bold: replace the aging outdoor pool with a modern aquatic facility that could serve both summer campers and Y members, without missing a summer season.
Working alongside Jay Dacey and his company, Integrated Builders, that vision became reality.
South Shore YMCA President & CEO Trevor Williams emphasized what was at stake from the very beginning: “We didn’t want the kids to miss a summer at the outdoor pool.”
Construction began in mid-August and, in an extraordinary effort, the facility opened the following June. More than a construction success, it was a commitment kept to the children and families who rely on the Y each summer.
“They had to move heaven and earth,” Williams said. “Jay and his team delivered this beautiful space on time and on budget. It exceeded even my wildest expectations.”
WHERE SUMMER COMES TO LIFE
Now in its fourth summer season, the Dacey Family Outdoor Aquatic Center has become a centerpiece of summer at the Y and a place where childhood happens in its purest form.
Each day, hundreds of young campers fill the space with energy, giggling under splash features, building confidence in the water, and creating memories to carry with them for years. While on the other side of the fence, families enjoy heated pools, splash features, playgrounds and concessions.
Williams described what that looks like beyond the pool itself: kids heading home “talking about this wild day they had,” families forming friendships, and neighbors turning everyday visits into shared traditions.
As Dan Russell, South Shore YMCA Board Member and Building Committee Chair, shared: “An outdoor aquatic center is more than a place to swim, it’s a place where children learn to swim and build confidence, families create memories, friendships grow, and communities come together.”
HONORING A FAMILY THAT LEADS BY EXAMPLE
Naming the facility for the Dacey family reflects more than generosity, it reflects a deep and lasting commitment to community.
“Anyone who knows Jay understands that his success has never been measured solely by business accomplishments,” said Russell. “His integrity, generosity, and commitment to family and community have defined his impact.”
YMCA Board Chair Mike Mullin echoed that sentiment: “You couldn’t be more deserving than to have an honor like this.”
John Concannon, President of Integrated Builders, added: “He does what he says, treats people the right way, and builds trust over time.”
Those values, reliability, generosity, and community-first leadership, are now reflected in a space designed to serve others for years to come.
A LASTING IMPACT
The significance of this naming is especially meaningful when considering its impact on children.
Marylynne Dacey, a former kindergarten and elementary school teacher, dedicated her career to helping young learners grow, build confidence, and experience joy in everyday moments, values that live on in this space.
Each summer, the Outdoor Aquatic Center becomes an extension of that impact. Young Y campers and Early Learning Center students use the facility daily as part of their program experience, building water confidence, developing skills, and simply enjoying the freedom of outdoor play in a safe and welcoming environment.
As Jill Donovan, Vice President of Development, reflected: “These things, these places, don’t just happen. It’s the people that make them happen.”
She added that while the Dacey name will live on here, “it’s truly the impact…on the lives of children and families and seniors who will enjoy this space for years to come.”
A NAME THAT ENDURES
For the Dacey family, the impact is not abstract, it’s visible, personal, and immediate.
“We really enjoy the Y because I can see where the money goes,” said Jay Dacey. “When I give to the Y, you know exactly where it’s going.”
That direct connection to the children, the programs, and the community is what makes the YMCA so meaningful to the Dacey family and so impactful for those it serves.
At the South Shore YMCA, naming a space is a rare and lasting honor. As Williams noted, “When we put a name on a building, it represents two big commitments. One from the donor and one from the Y. That name is there forever. We name buildings after significant philanthropic gifts to honor the generosity of individuals whose support makes transformative projects possible.”
LOOKING AHEAD
As the Dacey Family Outdoor Aquatic Center continues to welcome families each summer, its impact only grows stronger.
On hot, sun-filled days, when laughter echoes across the water and children are fully immersed in the joy of summer it’s clear what this space represents: a vision realized and a commitment to kids. And a legacy that will shape the South Shore for generations to come.
