Christian Brothers Embarks On Ambitious Athletic Bldg. Expansion

LINCROFT, NJ — Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) is embarking on an ambitious expansion of its athletic facilities on its 157-acre campus in Lincroft.

In September, we reported that CBA is building a $1.2 million new track & field complex, to be named after the late Dr. George Sheehan.

Now at its Dec. 2 meeting, the Middletown Planning Committee unanimously approved CBA's request to build a brand-new soccer and lacrosse complex, a new Round Barn, to rebuild McKenna Hall, and several other projects, including the new track & field complex.

Above is a rendering is of how CBA's new Soccer & Lacrosse Complex will look when finished. CBA plans to relocate the soccer and lacrosse fields to the front of campus; they will be visible from Newman Springs Road. The new soccer/lacrosse fields will be built with artificial turf, which can handle most weather conditions, will have spectator bleachers as well as a new scoreboard and sound system.

CBA hopes to break ground on the track complex and the soccer & lacrosse field projects in the spring of 2021.

Christian Brothers Academy is a private boys' Catholic high school located in Lincroft. The goal, says the school, is to further CBA's athletic prowess.

The $1.2 million new Sheehan Track & Field Complex will be located behind the existing baseball field; it will feature an eight-lane track and natural grass infield.

Sheehan was a founder at Christian Brothers and played a significant role in developing the high school's championship running programs, for which CBA is widely known for across New Jersey. CBA has been track & field state champs 22 times.

The second phase of construction will feature the new Tom Heath Round Barn, an expanded student cafeteria, rehabbing the Benilde Hall office building and converting the campus' historic McKenna Hall into a space for practical application of STEM (science and technology) classes (think laboratory space).

"This is certainly great news for all of us, especially the students, who will benefit tremendously by these new facilities," said CBA President Brother Frank Byrne. "Working with our neighbors, we have agreed to adjust some of our construction plans, but these much anticipated upgrades will become a reality.”

CBA is paying for the massive investment in its athletics through private fundraising: To date, the campaign has raised more than $10.2 million towards its $12 million goal.

Related: Here's How CBA's New Track & Field Complex Will Look (Sept. 23)