Transformational Gift Will Help Bring New 50-Meter Pool to Nir Family YMCA

WILMINGTON, N.C. — September 28, 2026 — A transformational contribution from Oaz Nir will help the YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina bring a new 50-meter pool to the Nir Family YMCA, significantly expanding access to aquatics and creating new opportunities for swimmers of all ages and abilities across the region.

The contribution builds on the Nir family’s 35-year relationship with the YMCA and a shared belief in the Y’s ability to strengthen individuals, families and communities. That relationship began through Oaz Nir’s mother, Dalia Nir, whose work as a YMCA wellness coach grew into a commitment to developing inclusive health and wellness opportunities, including programming for individuals with limitations.

When the Nir family moved to Wilmington more than 20 years ago, the YMCA became an important part of their family’s life. Over the years, nearly every member of the family has been involved with the YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina—as employees, instructors, volunteers, board members, athletes and members—giving them a firsthand understanding of the many ways the Y serves a community.

For Oaz Nir, that family connection has always been closely tied to a lifelong love of swimming. He grew up participating in year-round swim teams and went on to swim collegiately at Duke University. Swimming remains part of Nir’s weekly routine today. The opportunity to help bring a 50-meter pool to the Nir Family YMCA offered a meaningful way to bring those two parts of his life together—his family’s longstanding connection to the YMCA and his belief in the lifelong value of swimming—while creating new opportunities for generations to come.

A Pool Designed to Serve the Entire Community
The planned 50-meter competition-style pool will address a longstanding need for additional year-round aquatic space in southeastern North Carolina while complementing the existing pools at the Nir Family YMCA. Together, the expanded aquatic facilities will allow the YMCA to better match programs with the spaces best suited for them and significantly increase overall capacity for adults, seniors, families and youth. While the new pool will provide much-needed space for competitive swimming, high school teams and first responder training, its addition will also create greater flexibility across the YMCA’s existing pools for swim lessons, water exercise, recreational swimming, water safety programs and other community aquatic activities.

The increased capacity will be especially important as the YMCA continues to expand Schools in Pools, a collaborative initiative providing swim instruction and water safety education to second-grade New Hanover County Schools students. As the program grows toward serving all 26 elementary schools in the district, additional aquatic space will allow the YMCA and its partners to reach more children while preserving and expanding access for existing YMCA programs and community swimmers.

“This gift is extraordinary not simply because of its significance, but because of the opportunities it will create for generations to come,” said Dick Jones, President and CEO of the YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina.

“The Nir family has been part of our YMCA for decades, and their commitment to creating opportunities for others has been demonstrated time and again through their service, involvement and generosity,” Jones continued. “This investment will carry that legacy forward, opening the door for thousands of people to experience the health, confidence, connection and sense of belonging that the Y and aquatics can provide.”

A Family’s Investment in Future Generations
For the Nir family, the vision for the new pool is ultimately about the people who will use it.

“What’s great about the pool is that you can be an athlete or someone with limitations,” said Dalia Nir. “You’re moving every part of your body. Your whole body is engaged, but it’s gentle—and you can still push yourself.”

The Nir family’s vision for the pool is a simple one: that it be full.

Years from now, the family hopes to see a vibrant aquatic facility bringing together people of all ages and abilities—children learning to swim, student-athletes training and competing, adults staying active, individuals of all abilities finding opportunities to exercise, and families connecting with one another.

That vision reflects what the YMCA has represented to the Nir family for decades: a place where health and wellness can also lead to connection and community.

“It’s a place where you can take care of your health, but also be part of a community,” said Dalia Nir. “You meet people, develop friendships and take those friendships beyond the YMCA. It’s diverse and accepting, regardless of your ability or socioeconomic background.”

For Oaz Nir, the opportunity to help create that experience for thousands of people he may never meet is at the heart of the investment—and a way to extend his family’s connection to the YMCA to generations still to come.

The 50-meter pool expansion is estimated to cost approximately $16 million and will include a competition-style pool designed to support both long and short-course swimming, along with dedicated spaces for swimmers, teams, families and spectators. Once construction begins, the project is expected to take approximately 12 months to complete. Additional details about the project and construction timeline will be announced in the coming weeks.