A first look at Beede addition honoring Maisey O’Donnell

In a sport where fear can be a towering obstacle, Betsy O’Donnell said, joy marked her child’s diving experience. 

“You just saw her get happier each year,” she said of her late daughter, Maisey, last week. 

Maisey traveled the country as a diver, but she always came back home to the Beede Swim and Fitness Center. 

Less than three months after Maisey lost her life following a Florida car accident, her family is sharing early concepts for a Beede addition in her honor. 

“This one’s a hard one,” Betsy told the Recreation Commission, “because Beede meant so much to Maisey.” 

Betsy and her husband, Christoph, met with the commission alongside friends Lowell “Sandy” Smith and Tracey Bird. 

In a conversation, they highlighted how new amenities could boost Acton’s already star-studded diving community.

Project specifics

Maisey was a senior and accomplished diver at Acton-Carlisle High School. Two of her classmates — Jimmy McIntosh and Hannah Wasserman — also died as a result of the April break crash. A third classmate, Lauren Costa, survived her injuries.

Maisey was in the spotlight just months before her death when she claimed her second state Division I title. She was one of 26 Division I champion divers who’ve practiced and competed at Beede since its 2006 opening, according to Christoph. 

The O’Donnell family previewed plans for a dryland training room when they sought donations in Maisey’s memory in lieu of flowers this spring. New renderings show a trampoline and a dry diving board in a 1,000-square-foot space. 

The project could cost from $750,000 to $1 million, and the O’Donnells said philanthropy will cover the costs. The family had raised close to $400,000 through July 9.

Safety benefits

Dry boards let divers attach themselves to a pulley system and practice maneuvers without the risk of landing awkwardly — and painfully —in the water. A trampoline would similarly aid practice.

Maisey used dry boards at other facilities and wished for one at the Beede Center. 

Betsy O’Donnell said dryland practice begets significant improvement for divers working to overcome fear, Betsy said, “because you’re not scared.” 

CCHS student-athletes would benefit and Bird, who has coached diving at multiple levels, said Beede would also draw other teams looking to rent a facility with dryland capabilities. She said the pulleys aren’t hard to operate, and parents could be trained to support divers.

Bird said a new room could also host fitness classes, and Betsy said teams could use it for stretches during meets when the Beede pool deck gets crowded.

Recreation Commission Chair Phil Griffiths said the panel would be “honored” to work on the project.

‘Game changer’

Christoph O’Donnell described donations from at least 670 contributors. Half were Acton residents. Some of the funding has come from diving coaches, judges, and teams. “It’s really heartwarming,” he said.

Once the town pledges support, Smith said, more donors might open their wallets. 

Maisey dived for Boston Area Diving in addition to CCHS. In an interview with The Acton Bridge, Boston Area Diving head coach Joe Chirico said many parents in the organization have already contributed.

Chirico said dryland systems are a “game changer,” and The Maisey O’Donnell Dryland Training Room will be the first facility of its kind in the New England area. 

Chirico spoke from California on a training trip that Maisey would have attended. 

As her family pursues a project that could help newcomers, Chirico recalled moments of kindness from his former pupil. 

One time, he said, a competitor at a state championship meet was nervous about being scheduled to dive immediately after Maisey, a tough act to follow with judges watching.

Rather than solely focus on her own dive, Maisey took the time to welcome her competitor and try to put her at ease. 

Chirico said he heard the story of Maisey’s compassion from the other diver’s coach. It stuck with him. 

“It’s so easy, when you’re on top, to ignore everybody else,” he said.

‘Tremendously meaningful’

It’s still early in the process, and plans could change, but the O’Donnells have discussed opening a seasonal dry board on an existing outdoor patio before building the full new room.

Recreation Commission members backed the O’Donnells. “We look forward to a ribbon cutting,” Griffiths said.

Betsy said the Maisey O’Donnell Dryland Training Room would draw more people to the sport her daughter loved. 

Christoph praised Beede and said improving its offerings for Acton’s diving community would be “tremendously meaningful” to Maisey.

“She really loved that place,” he said. 

The O’Donnell family is gathering donations through the Maisey O’Donnell Fund at the Community Foundation for MetroWest. Learn more at communityfoundationmw.org/maisey-odonnell-fund/.