Written By: Sadie Kolodner

In January 2022, Rye Country Day School purchased 8.971 acres of land from New York State as part of a new “East Campus” project. New York purchased the land 60 years ago from RCDS through eminent domain for the construction of I-95. Now that it is back in the School’s hands, the parcel is known as East Campus, referring to the newly acquired land and our existing athletic building and fields. As a part of the negotiations between the state and the school, RCDS agreed that the proposed new facilities would be available to the public approximately 30% of the time. The hope is that this will boost the School’s partnerships with local sports and recreation programs. 

RCDS is continuing to work on developing a plan for East Campus, meaning that construction has yet to begin. However, hopes are high that RCDS will expand its athletic facilities. In September 2023, RCDS announced the installation of walking and running paths as a short-term use option. In making this announcement, Head of School Randall Dunn said in a statement, “We are excited about our ongoing work to develop East Campus. This work, which will be subject to local and state approvals, will usher in a new chapter for the School and our continued partnership with our neighbors – including Rye, Port Chester, and other surrounding communities.” Unfortunately, work has been slow going since then.

In 2022, when the acquisition was first announced, it was stated that new athletic facilities would hopefully be ready for the start of the 2024-2025 school year. However, there have been no updates or announcements on the future use of the land, and no new construction is apparent. According to Mr. Dunn, when asked about the plans, he said, “We are in the process of finalizing the master plan, taking into consideration buildings and space.” This includes part of the plan to renovate the existing athletic space. There are many steps between now and the finish line of this project, but the completion of a plan and sufficient fundraising are the most crucial catalysts for action. There are many great options to pursue in the development of East Campus, and all Wildcats are eagerly awaiting an announcement on the next steps in its development.