For more than a century, the Y has been a staple of healthy living, youth development and social responsibility in Marblehead and its surrounding communities. Beginning in 1910, the original Marblehead Y on Pleasant Street served the local community and when it began to outgrow the space downtown, the move to Leggs Hill Road began.
With a groundbreaking at the new location on the hill in September 2006 and an official opening in 2009, the Y has been growing its membership for 15 years while providing a welcoming space with hundreds of classes, programs and activities for adults, children and families. This year, the Y celebrates those 15 years since that groundbreaking as it continues to be a vital resource for the local community.
At this milestone, it’s important to reflect, recognize and thank those who made the “new” Y possible. Named for Marblehead’s Carolyn & Peter Lynch and Rose-Marie & Eyk van Otterloo — the two major donor families who co-chaired and significantly contributed to the $15 million “Y It’s Time” capital campaign — the 90,000-square-foot, full-service facility reflected the most ambitious fundraising effort by any North Shore nonprofit organization at the time.
At the building’s dedication ceremonies, the Y’s most generous donor — David Sherman of Swampscott — was posthumously recognized for his extraordinary contribution; in 2014, the annual David Sherman Community Strengthening Award was founded to honor civic leaders, Y staff or volunteers who reflect the major donor’s altruism. In May 2015, the Y’s inner roadway was formally named “Sherman’s Way” and a concrete tower was erected at its entrance to commemorate his selfless generosity.
Additionally, Marblehead’s Belinda & Henri Termeer, whose gift underwrote the innovative partnership between the Boston Ballet and the Y — the only such alliance between a YMCA and a major dance company — was acknowledged, along with the benevolence of Marblehead’s Dan & Meredith Doherty, whose names grace the Y’s gymnasium. Dan, a board member and the site’s project manager, was instrumental in guiding the organization through the numerous real estate challenges.
At this anniversary celebration, founders David Quade, a longtime Y board member and former board president whose astute and skillful real estate negotiation led to the land acquisition; and former Y Executive Director Paul Gorman, whose vision, determination and tenacity were crucial to the realization of the 25-year dream, were recognized for their commitment to the Y and the broader community.
Also feted at this event were former board president, longest-serving board member and Marblehead “Y It’s Time” fundraising chair Paul Guertin and his wife, Susan, longtime Y aquatics director/coach and volunteer. The Y pools are named in their honor.
Looking ahead from this exciting 15-year mark, the Y understands the importance of offering a safe, inviting environment for all, a place for members, program participants and guests to stay active, engaged and connected.
The Y remains dedicated to meeting the needs of the community, offering innovative programming like Cornerstone for cancer patients while offering flexible pricing based on household income to ensure everyone has access to the Y.
Brian Flynn, executive director of the Y said, “We are grateful to all those, past and present, who have helped make the Y what it is today. We are so grateful to the Marblehead community, its leadership, local businesses and organizations that have joined us in our mission to help those in the community who need us most. We look forward to many, many more years of serving this wonderful community.”
Fun fact: When the original Y on Pleasant Street was demolished, a time capsule was found in the cornerstone of the building. The contents included a “white cent” dated 1859 and a Lincoln cent dated 1910, and literature related to the proposal to build an ultimate construction of the Y in 1910. Documents inside included pledge forms requesting donations beginning at 50 cents or “major gifts” of $10. Y membership dues in 1910 were $2 per year.
