Some young spectators got the opportunity to enjoy the main court at the Kilby Athletic Recreation Center Saturday afternoon. The $10 million dollar facility at Annapolis Area Christian School in Severn was officially dedicated Saturday.

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Annapolis Area Christian School debuts its new Kilby Athletic Recreation Center

     Annapolis Area Christian Athletic Director Joe Palumbo said he dreaded each weekday afternoon. The last several years, Palumbo would watch many of his athletic teams leave campus for practice miles away.

     “I hold my breath every day because I know I got kids out on the road,” said Palumbo. “I just dread that call from a coach saying Suzie or Johnny haven’t made it to practice yet and I know they’ve left the school. Luckily, I’ve never had that call.”

      Palumbo’s concerns have started to alleviate with the Herndon Kilby Athletic Recreation Center on Annapolis Area’s upper school location in Severn. The building, which opened in August, was dedicated Saturday afternoon.

      The Eagles hosted their first athletic event Monday evening with a boys’ volleyball game against Mount St. Joseph’s. The $10 million dollar facility features two gymnasiums, an auxilary gym, indoor turf field, wrestling room, weight room, four locker rooms with two offices for coaches, athletic trainer office, adminstrative offices and a dining hall, which school officials said is the biggest centerpiece.

      “It’s come to pass before our eyes. It was a little bit touch and go during the summer,” said Annapolis Area Chrisitan Principal Don Wiley. “We got the official inspection the day before school started. It’s been a blessing to be able enjoy the dining hall as well as students having a place to congreate and, of course, the amazing athletic facility.”

      “It’s taken the kids out from being right under the teachers all the time,” said Palumbo. “The teachers are so much more relax. They have their time in the morning to do devotions and prepare for the day, and the kids are over here. The kids want to be here.”

      Students along with alumni and parents could be found in virtually every area of Kilby as the skies began clearing outside Saturday afternoon after several days of rain. Palumbo said rain spoiled many homecoming events for alumni last year. A year later, some former soccer players were able to enjoy the indoor turf field.

       “That’s probably going to be the most popular place on campus,” said Annapolis Area Christian football coach and assistant athletic director Kenny Lucas.

       “The alumni have come back and embraced the school,” said Palumbo standing in the lobby. “It’s a different school they graduated from, but it’s a good way to cement the bond with AACS alumni.”

        Annapolis Area Christian’s upper school was previously located on Bestgate Road in Annapolis. In 2004, it relocated to its 64-acre location in Severn which was donated by Emma G. Sulin. An academic building in her name was the only structure on campus before ground was broken for the athletic facility in 2006.

         Palumbo said a pool will added to the facility next year for summer club programs and hopes to establish a team. Palumbo added fields for baseball, football and softball are also among the school’s future plans. The Eagles’ football team, in its inaugural campaign, plays home games at Broadneck High School, while baseball and softball plays at Joe Cannon Stadium and Randazzo Park, respectively.  

        “We got excellent game facilities, some of the finest facilities in the county,” said Palumbo, “but it’s not the same as being home.”

        The Kilby Center is the latest in the trend of local private schools improving their athletic facilities. Palumbo said it’s part of the bigger picture.  

        “It’s such competition for enrollment in private schools,” said Palumbo. “That’s not going to be the only factor you look at, but it might be the factor that tips the scale.”

        Wiley said the new building will be able to serve all three of Annapolis Area’s campuses. The Eagles are now finally able to say there’s no place like home.

        “It’s going to be one of the finest facilities in the state,” said Palumbo. “Kids want to stay and support their classmates. It’s wonderful they can do that here and not have to travel.”