MIDDLETOWN – A $12 million capital campaign aims to bring new buildings and upgrades to the Christian Brothers Academy campus.
The campaign, named “Forever CBA: Securing Our Mission,” officially launched Oct. 19 at CBA’s campus, located in the Lincroft section of Middletown. Its goals are to increase the school’s endowment and enhance campus facilities that sit on approximately 143 acres. Organizers announced at the launch that $8.7 million has already been raised.
Bill Attardi, director of advancement, said these projects are being undertaken to ensure the school can maintain its enrollment for years into the future.
“Five years ago, we had zero personal endowments,” he said. Now, the private Catholic school in the Lasallian tradition has established over 60 scholarship endowments for students and hopes to create another 30 with this campaign. “This really creates an opportunity for students in the future,” he said.
The historic Round Barn on the campus will see major changes during the construction period. The structure, built in the 1930s as a horse training facility, is now used as a makeshift indoor track for the school’s nationally ranked track and field program. The building will be demolished and rebuilt and its exterior will replicate what stands today. “Our alum all felt it was so important to our historical presence,” said Attardi. While it will maintain its historic charm on the outside, the inside will house more modern facilities for the CBA Colts.
It will also be renamed in honor of Tom Heath, a longtime cross country coach at CBA and a teacher for almost 49 years. “He’s like a legend,” said Attardi, adding that the idea to honor Heath came from two Class of ‘76 alumni.
In addition to the Round Barn, demolition and reconstruction are planned for the existing Benilde Hall and McKenna Hall, with associated parking, walkways, landscaping, lighting and drainage improvements. The school will also make additions to Alumni Hall and the cafeteria, renovations to Valentine Hall, improvements to the baseball field, construction of a pavilion area and viewing platform near the tennis court, and soccer, rugby, lacrosse fields and track improvements, among other work.
According to Attardi, the work could begin next summer.
Once the work is complete, Forever CBA will allow the academy to enhance its scholarship program, improve its physical plant, enrich academic programs and allow for a “steady stream of revenue” for years to come.
In the school’s 60-year history, Forever CBA is its fourth capital campaign for improvements to the campus, according to the academy. Its most recent project to upgrade the main facility on campus was completed in 2012 for the 50th anniversary of the school’s founding.
