Labonte helps school: Donning lightweight construction helmets and sporting gold-painted shovels, High Point [NC]Christian Academy students, staff and supporters broke ground on a $4 million secondary school building Monday. The approximately 40,000-square-foot building, which will eventually house grades nine through 12, is to be located on the west side of the campus, across Phillips Avenue from the West End Park playing field. Construction could start as early as next month and the project is expected to be completed by August 2004. The construction contract has not yet been firmed up, said High Point Christian Academy Headmaster Richard Hardee, but Georgia firm CCL & Associates is overseeing project management. More than $1.25 million has been raised to fund the building, said Michael Gay, who chaired the capital campaign committee. The High Point Central High School class of 2006, approximately 40 students, were on hand for the ceremony. The class of 2006 will be the school’s first graduating class, as well as the first class to graduate from the planned building. NASCAR driver Bobby Labonte, father of two High Point Christian Academy students, served as honorary chairman of the capital campaign committee. “It’s a great day to be part of,” said Labonte, “I look forward to one day standing here with a key to open the door.”(High Point Enterprise), see pictures of the event at www.hpcacougars.org.(11-12-2002)
