School board endorses diver training facility honoring Maisey O’Donnell
Her family presented early concepts for the Maisey O’Donnell Dryland Training Room last month.
Maisey O’Donnell was the “queen bee” of the Beede Center, her father says.
Efforts to honor her memory with a new training facility at Beede now have the School Committee’s blessing.
“Our community has really shown up, which is really tremendous,” Maisey’s dad, Christoph O’Donnell, said while discussing an outpouring of support since Maisey and two classmates lost their lives in an April car accident.
Maisey was a student at Acton-Carlisle High School who frequently dazzled judges as a state champion diver. Her family launched the Maisey O’Donnell Fund in her memory and presented early concepts for the Maisey O’Donnell Dryland Training Room last month.
The O’Donnells went before the School Committee last week, as The Beede Swim and Fitness Center is on the CCHS campus. Acton-Carlisle School Committee Chair Tracey Marano said the panel must support the project for it to proceed.
School board members unanimously praised the O’Donnells’ plan, which would add space and equipment for divers to practice maneuvers safely, with trampolines and harnesses, before transitioning to the pool.
The O’Donnells have already raised more than $400,000 and secured pledges to cover the rest of the project cost, which could range from $750,000 to $1 million.
Beyond donations, Christoph said parents of other divers have come forward to speak of Maisey encouraging their children while training at Beede.
“It’s meant to be a fun place,” said Maisey’s mom, Betsy, “and that’s what she would have wanted.”
The family is gathering donations through the Maisey O’Donnell Fund at the Community Foundation for MetroWest. Learn more at communityfoundationmw.org/maisey-odonnell-fund/.
