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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Bell, Ogle Win at May Day Race in Dalton

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DALTON, Mass. -- Stefan Ogle was the top male 5-kilometer finisher and Lindley Bell the top female 5K finisher at the 2026 Community Recreation Association May Day Races on Sunday at Nessacus Middle School.
 
Ogle’s winning 5K time was 19 minutes, 7 seconds, Brady Payson was second in 19:41, and Lake Kittler third in 19:43. Bell’s winning women’s time was 23:56, followed by Kristy MacWilliams in 24:22 and Chelsea Smith in 29:20.
 
Girls led the Splatter Sprint mile race, with Payton Anastasio, age 11, the top overall finisher in in 8:07, 12-year-old Breelin Touponce second in 8:44 and 11-year-old Brooklyn Renderer third in 8:45. The top three boys were Jace Esposito in 8:54, Michael Londergan in 10:15 and Samuel King in 10:38.
 
In the kids’ Obstacles & Popsicles half-mile race for ages 6-8, 7-year-old Henry King was first in 4:00, 8-year-old Jake Vosburgh finished second in 4:01, while 7-year-old Maisey Reed was third in 4:31. Evan Vreeland was third among the boys in 4:41, while Cecelia Polson was the second-place girl in 4:37 and Harper Phelps was third in 4:40.
 
In the 5-and-under race, Jack Barbour was first among the boys in 4:38, Jackson Lavierdiere was second in 5:05, and Mae Cimini third in 5:10. Kennedy Phelps was the top girl in 5:14, while Laura Vosburgh was second in 5:57 and Olivia Shea third 5:58. 
 
5K Race
1. Stefan Ogle, 19:07. 2. Brady Payson, 19:41. 3. Lake Kittler, 19:43. 4. Brian Ducey, 19:46. 5. Chaz Mahar, 21:35. 6. Philip Malm, 21:50. 7. Benjamin Ward, 22:48. 8. Bret Matthews, 23:11. 9. Robert King, 23:28. 10. Noah Aldrich, 23:50.
 
Kids' Splatter Sprint 1 Mile Race
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