New Close-Krieger Athletic Center Dedicated
Nearly 50 donors gave to largest capital project in school history
Derick Close '77 was not at Christ School for long in the grand scheme of things. In hindsight, it's the lessons and memories that are enormous.
"I was here for two fascinating years," Close said. "I learned more in that amount of time than any other time in my life."
The new Close-Krieger Athletic Center was dedicated Saturday, part of Alumni Weekend.
The naming rights for the largest capital project in Christ School history were made possible by Close and his wife, Sallie, along with Betty and Walter Montgomery '47, who have been parents to three Greenies. The Montgomery family asked that their gift be used in the name of Headmaster Paul Krieger.
"No one has done more to take Christ School to a new level than Headmaster Paul Krieger," Close said. "Paul has been here 18 years, 16 as Headmaster. This facility is most appropriate and symbolic of how far the school has come."
Nearly 50 donors were involved in making the Close-Krieger Athletic Center a reality. It greatly expands the indoor conditioning and practice options for all Greenie sports teams. Along with a much-expanded weight room that has a college feel, there is a synthetic turf field and hall of fame that celebrates 118 years of competition.
"The best indoor high school athletic facility in the country is here in Arden, North Carolina," Krieger said. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart, from the bottom of the hearts of boys at Christ School for generations to come."
Board of Trustees president Bertram Scott P'08 gave introductory remarks Saturday, and a number of other major gifts were recognized, including the R.E. Howard Strength and Conditioning Center (Jena and Steve Young '82), Fitness Training Mezzanine (the estate of James S. Patty '42), Exercise Room (Chiyo and Joseph Husslein P'14), Sports Medicine Room (Olivia and Hugo Harenstein '53), Fayssoux Filming Tower (Stanley C. Gibson '58, GP'08 and Kay and Steve Nesbitt '58, GP'18), Office (Charles Cole GP'07, GP'08), Office (Class of 1988 in honor of Coach Pat James), Office (Kelley and John McCauley P'13 and Marianna and Albert McCauley GP'13, GP'21).
Construction on the Close-Krieger Athletic Center began last spring and it opened to students last month. This is the first indoor addition to Christ School's athletic facilities since Mebane Field House was built in 1989.
"This building is incredible," John Beard '18 said. "What I'm most proud of is the hall of fame. It is a testament to what the school has provided for us and how lucky we are."
