Community Pitches in on CRA Gym Renovation

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DALTON, Mass. — More than 50 volunteers came together Sunday, Sept. 28, to begin a major renovation of the Community Recreation Association's (CRA) Dalton Youth Center (DYC) gymnasium. 
 
Volunteers from the Dalton Benefit Association, Champlain Masonry, Baumann Trucking, CRA staff and Board of Trustees, and Wahconah Regional High School boys' football, basketball, and soccer teams joined forces to remove the gym's 50-year-old floor, paving the way for construction to begin.
 
The $80,000 renovation project will transform the gym with a brand-new playing surface, upgraded bench seating, wall pads, hoops, scoreboard, and a fresh coat of paint.
 
On Sept. 20, the CRA announced that the remodeled DYC gym will be dedicated as the Dan McMahon Court, honoring the CRA's longtime recreation and social program director who retired last year after 33 years of dedicated service to the organization and community.
 
"This project is about more than updating a gym — it's about honoring Dan's legacy and ensuring the next generation has a place to gather, play, and grow," said CRA Executive Director Alison Peters. "We're grateful for all those who turned out to get us off to a great start."
 
Construction is expected to be completed in time for the start of the CRA youth basketball season in Nov. 
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Dalton Basketball Court Named for McMahon

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DALTON, Mass. – The Community Recreation Association last week dedicated the newly renovated gym floor in honor of Dan McMahon.
 
The CRA’s program director for more than three decades was recognized in a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by about 60 people on Friday night, just before the start of the youth basketball season.
 
“[McMahon] has created programs that have had a lasting impact, including the Mark Galusha Baseball League, the Just for Kicks Soccer Tournament …, adaptive programs, Just Play Summer Basketball and countless others that continue to define the CRA today,” CRA Director of Operations Dustin Belcher said at the ceremony.
 
“Dan has always led with his heart, putting the families and kids we serve first. He has spent thousands of hours in this building running the Leaders Club, drop-in after school programs, tutoring and family events. The gymnasium has been at the center of his work, whether teaching gym class at St. Agnes Academy, hosting Halloween fun Houses, penny carnivals, summer camp, snow days or school vacation camps. Every child and family who uses this space going forward will feel the impact of his dedication to the community.”
 
McMahon did the honors in cutting the ribbon to formally open the court. He was joined by his family at the ceremony.
 
“Families need to know they can rely on the people guiding these programs, and Dan provided trusted, steady leadership for decades” Belcher said. “It is because of his dedication that the CRA has been able to grow, thrive and serve so many families.”
 
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