GULF SHORES — South Baldwin Christian Academy (SBCA) celebrated the construction of an additional classroom building at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Sept. 16.

About 30 people were in attendance at the event, sponsored by the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber. The new building adds seven classrooms for high school students.

Robert Mayes, chairman of the (SBCA) board of trustees, spoke at the event to recognize donors, board members, faculty and staff in attendance.

At 212 students currently, Mayes said the campus has now expanded to take up the total nine acres of the property. Originally, only half of the campus had been developed.

"The impact of this school is far and wide, and it was supposed to be here," Mayes said. "It's fulfilling a mission; it's fulfilling a mission for those kids that are here."

Kim Gates, with Gates Builders who constructed the project, spoke at the ribbon cutting event on the building process.

He said the building has been in the works for about 13 years. Because of the swampy "mudhole" originally on the site, builders had to work with the Corps of Engineers, which pushed the project back by about six years. Then the project required plans and permits adding more years to the process.

"There's been a lot of setbacks, and I think the devil testing us sometimes, but everybody prevailed," Gates said.

Greg Anderson, CEO of Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, also spoke at the event. He touched on the benefits the new classroom will add to the campus.

"The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber is grateful for this partnership and all you do for your young people and our young people," he said. "We love having your students as part of our educational programs with our junior leadership and our CAKE Day. South Baldwin Christian Academy's ideals and mission is one of a kind in our community and we look forward to partnering with you all for years to come and wish you continued success."

The event concluded with attendees gathering around for the ribbon cutting followed by a reception and tour of the new building.