Podcast 285 – How $37M Has Transformed the JCC Into Dunwoody’s Summer Destination – MJCCA CEO Jared Powers

Summer at the J: Why the MJCCA Is Dunwoody's Best-Kept Secret 

The JCC as Dunwoody’s True Town Center

In the heart of Dunwoody, just off Tilly Mill Road, sits one of the city’s most extraordinary community resources: the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA). For decades, the JCC has served families across Metro Atlanta, but only recently has it truly stepped into the spotlight as an essential part of living in Dunwoody. As MJCCA CEO Jared Powers says, their vision is clear: to be the town center of Dunwoody. And from what you'll read here, it seems they've pulled it off.

This episode of What’s Up Dunwoody dives into why this 52-acre campus has quietly become a powerhouse for recreation, connection, and community.

A Place for Everyone – No, Really

Let’s address a common misconception upfront: you do not need to be Jewish to be a member. The MJCCA is open to everyone — all faiths, all ages, and all ability levels. It’s this inclusive spirit that makes the J such a powerful force in Dunwoody. Whether you’re looking for summer camps for your kids, a peaceful place to work out, or just somewhere to meet new people, the J is built for it.

The MJCCA is a space where community flourishes regardless of age, background, or belief system. It offers meaningful programming for young children, teens, adults, and seniors alike. Members and visitors often describe it not as a facility, but as a home away from home. That vibe is intentional, and it’s part of what makes the MJCCA such a transformative experience for so many.

Meet Jared Powers: From Camper to CEO

Jared Powers' journey is woven into the very fabric of the MJCCA. He moved to Atlanta when he was just four years old and grew up in Sandy Springs, where his childhood memories are full of bike rides to the old JCC campus on Tilly Mill. At the time, it was more camp than campus, surrounded by farmland and still years away from the transformation it would undergo in the early 2000s.

Jared attended day camps at the J, joined youth groups, and eventually became a counselor at Camp Barney Medintz, the MJCCA’s overnight camp in North Georgia. He took a brief detour in the corporate world, earning two finance degrees and even teaching at Holcomb Bridge Middle School. But his heart never left the JCC.

Twenty years ago, he returned to take an entry-level job in the sports department. Since then, he's climbed the ranks through passion, leadership, and a deep belief in the J's mission. His rise is more than a career arc; it's a lived example of how the MJCCA grows and nurtures its community from within.

Today, as CEO, Jared sees his role not just as an administrator, but as a steward of legacy and a builder of future impact. Under his leadership, the MJCCA has invested nearly $37 million in capital improvements, ensuring the center is modern, inclusive, and ready for the next generation.

Jared is known by staff and members alike as a hands-on leader. He might be found walking the grounds, chatting with a member at the snack bar, or dropping in on a youth sports clinic. His leadership is based on relationships, trust, and a willingness to listen. And because he himself grew up at the J, there’s a certain authenticity to his commitment. He isn’t running the MJCCA from afar; he lives the experience along with everyone else.

Summer Membership: The Hidden Gem for Locals

If you’re living in Dunwoody and not taking advantage of the MJCCA’s summer membership, you're missing out.

The summer membership runs from mid-May through mid-September, and at just $680 for a full family, it might be the best deal in town. For that price, you get:

• Access to three outdoor pools (including the brand-new Zalik Outdoor Aquatic Center)

• A splash pad and zero-entry pool for toddlers

• Water slides, in-pool sundeck, shaded decks

• Full access to the renovated indoor fitness center

• The Eva G. Lipman 15-court pickleball complex

• Over 80 weekly group exercise classes

• Indoor pool and locker room amenities (hot tub, sauna, and more)

And yes — you even get a free week of summer camp with the membership (some restrictions apply).

More details at: whatsupdunwoody.com/jcc

It’s more than just a summer perk. For many Dunwoody families, the summer membership becomes their entry point into a deeper connection with the JCC community. It’s not uncommon for summer members to return year after year, or to upgrade to full-time access once they see what they’ve been missing.

Pickleball Craze: A Social Sport for All Ages

Let’s talk about pickleball. What started as a few courts has exploded into a 15-court complex. Originally designed with 12 courts, demand forced the MJCCA to convert a basketball court into three more. Now, it’s the place to play pickleball in Dunwoody.

It’s not just about the sport. There’s a social club atmosphere, with a pavilion overlooking the courts, TVs, food, drinks, and a space that encourages people to hang out. Whether you're playing or just watching with a cocktail in hand, it’s a community hub unlike any other in the area.

Powers put it perfectly: “It’s one of the few sports where an entire family — grandparents down to grandkids — can play together. And even if you’re not great, you can still have fun.”

Pickleball has helped cement the MJCCA as not just a fitness center, but a social destination. It brings people together. It creates conversations. It builds friendships.

Here’s what longtime member Lainie F. had to say: “I started playing on a whim, just to get some steps in. Now I’ve got a group of friends I meet twice a week, and we hang out afterward, too. It’s more than a workout. It’s part of my life now.”

The Zalik Outdoor Aquatic Center: Resort-Level Amenities

If you haven’t seen the new outdoor pool area, it’s time for a tour. The Zalik Outdoor Aquatic Center was designed for every age group, with thoughtful layout and amenities:

• Splash Pad and Toddler Pool: Zero-entry, shaded, and fully interactive for little ones

• Main Social Pool: Massive waterslide, basketball hoops, jumping rock, and a deep end

• Quiet Adult Pool: Tucked away with loungers and chill vibes

• Sue Sue’s Snack Bar: Grab a drink or snack and make a day of it

And yes, it’s all included in the summer membership.

For a swim facility smack in the middle of Dunwoody, this rivals what you’d expect from a country club. It’s clean, new, and family-ready. Even neighboring swim teams are now looking to host their meets here.

The aquatic center becomes a literal melting pot during summer. It’s where PTA parents run into preschool teachers, and where new Dunwoody residents first meet their neighbors. With music playing and kids laughing, it’s not just a pool — it’s the sound of summer.

Camp Central: MJCCA Day Camps

If you’re a parent in Dunwoody looking for summer activities, the MJCCA Day Camps should be at the top of your list. Each week, between 800 and 900 kids fill the campus — but thanks to 52 acres, it never feels crowded.

What makes it special:

• Dozens of specialty camps, from sports to theater to cooking

• Traditional camp experiences: archery, fishing, canoeing, swimming

• Indoor and outdoor facilities with air conditioning for hot Georgia days

• Highly trained staff and a long-standing reputation for safety

You can even bundle camp and membership to maximize your summer.

Learn more at: whatsupdunwoody.com/jcamps

Local mom Amy R. said it best: “My daughter made friends she still talks to months later, and she loved the cooking camp. I was blown away when she came home making her own omelets and cupcakes.”

Facilities That Go Way Beyond Expectations

This is not just a gym. Not even close.

Here’s a taste of what else you’ll find across the MJCCA campus:

• Brill Family Fitness Center with state-of-the-art equipment

• 15 Pickleball Courts, 11 of which are covered

• 3 Outdoor Pools + 1 Indoor Pool with lap swim and instruction

• Tennis Center with 6 lighted courts

• Besser Gymnastics Pavilion, the largest in the area

• Ball fields, batting cages, and multiple basketball gyms

• Boating and fishing lake (yes, really)

• Kosher-style cooking studio

• Morris & Rae Frank Theatre (live performances year-round)

• Dance, fitness, and cycling studios

Not to mention art classes, preschool, youth groups, and community events. It’s one of the few places in Dunwoody where you can learn ballet, take a pottery class, attend a lecture, and coach your kid’s soccer team — all in one location.

An Inclusive, Intergenerational Community

Something unique about the JCC: it attracts every age group, often in the same space. You'll see grandparents playing pickleball with grandkids, teens mentoring younger campers, and families sharing pool time together.

This multigenerational vibe is part of what Powers and his team have worked hard to preserve. And it shows. Whether you’re new to Dunwoody or a lifelong resident, the JCC is designed to give you a place to plug in.

The J is also a space for interfaith connections, cultural learning, and disability inclusion. It’s not just about what you can do there. It’s about who you can become there.

Respectful Growth, Thoughtful Expansion

All this expansion didn’t happen overnight. Much of it was the result of a post-COVID strategic plan. The organization used the shutdown to reimagine the future, raise funds, and implement a $37 million renovation across their facilities. It’s a transformation you can feel as soon as you set foot on the campus.

They even prioritized sound control for their pickleball courts after community concerns — and to date, there’s been zero noise complaints.

Every inch of the campus was planned with intention. They wanted to make Zaban Park not just a great place to be, but a great place to live near. Their attention to landscaping, safety, and neighbor relations makes them a model for how large community centers can evolve in suburban neighborhoods.

What’s Next for the MJCCA?

The team isn’t resting. After their upgrades, they’re now looking outward. They’ve started partnerships with schools like The Weber School in Sandy Springs and are exploring how to bring MJCCA programming to other parts of Atlanta.

They already run two preschools off-site — one in East Cobb and one in Sandy Springs — and are considering more satellite programs to bring the MJCCA magic to families who can’t always get to Tilly Mill.

But Zaban Park will always be the flagship. As Powers said, “We want it to be the Disneyland of Dunwoody.”

That vision is unfolding right in front of us.

Come Take a Tour (or Just Hang Out)

Still curious? The JCC offers free 5-day passes for anyone who wants to check it out. No strings attached. Just walk in, tour the space, and see what everyone’s talking about.

Whether you’re moving to Dunwoody or just looking to make the most of your summer, this is the place to be.

Tour or join today:

• whatsupdunwoody.com/jcc

• whatsupdunwoody.com/jcamps