Bishop Peter Jugis presided over the groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 30 for the Fulford Athletic & Activity Complex at Christ the King High School in Huntersville. The 21,800-square-foot facility will enlarge the gymnasium, create locker rooms and provide a full-size stage for performances and assemblies. Participating in the ceremony (from left): Alicia and Adam Bowman, general co-chairs of the capital campaign committee; Dr. Carl Semmler, principal; Bishop Jugis; Father John Putnam, pastor of St. Mark Church in Huntersville and school chaplain; Father Timothy Reid, vicar of education for Catholic Schools, Dr. Gregory Monroe, superintendent of Catholic Schools; and Art and Georgette McMahon, general co-chairs of the capital campaign committee. (SueAnn Howell | Catholic News Herald)HUNTERSVILLE — To the delight of hundreds of Christ the King High School students, diocesan and school officials joyfully turned the dirt Nov. 30 at Christ the King High School – kicking off a $6.6 million expansion project for a new athletic and performance facility.
The Fulford Athletic & Activity Complex is the second major expansion in the high school’s 10-year history. The 21,800-square-foot building will include a full-size court and two cross courts in the gymnasium, expanded seating for more than 720 spectators, men’s and women’s locker rooms for home and visiting teams, and athletic director and trainers’ offices.
The gymnasium will also be home to a full-size stage with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems for student performances and school-wide events.
Bishop Peter Jugis presided over the groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday, held outside the high school under Carolina blue skies with the whole school community in attendance.
“The work we are beginning today should enliven our faith and make us grateful,” Bishop Jugis said. “We know the familiar words of the psalm: ‘If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor.’ Whenever we look to the interests of our neighbor or the community and serve them, we are in a sense God’s coworkers.”
Gratitude was also the theme of other speakers at the groundbreaking event.
“I am so grateful to all the people who have assisted us to reach this day,” said Dr. Gregory Monroe, Catholic Schools superintendent.
“I have no doubt that this new building, once erected, will be a reflection of the perfection student-athletes seek and will be training grounds for great victories in the years to come. But, more importantly, it will be about the virtue that is cultivated – and the formation that these student-athletes receive in fortitude, tenacity and courage, and in collegiality when they come together in teamwork.”
Christ the King’s principal, Dr. Carl Semmler, added, “This long-awaited project is representative of our CTK community in so many ways. The collaborative work and generosity of so many have led us to this moment.
“The 250 families who pledged and donated to this project include alumni, current and future families of CTK students. Their generosity has been overwhelming and humbling. We are truly blessed.”
A capital campaign, launched in May 2019, raised more than $3.96 million in local school community pledges. The project is supplemented by $2.64 million in Mecklenburg Area Catholic Schools funding. Construction is expected to take 10-12 months.
“We are honored, humbled and grateful and look forward to seeing the impact this new space will have on generations of Crusaders to come,” Semmler said.
Bishop Jugis prayed before he blessed the site with holy water, “Let us pray for God’s help through this celebration, my brothers and sisters, that He will bring this construction to a successful completion and that His protection will keep those who work on it safe from injury.”
Christ the King High School serves families in the growing north Charlotte areas of Lake Norman and Huntersville. Established in 2011 with an inaugural class of 26 students, the school’s enrollment is now 364 students.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
