On July 1st, 1958, this Naval Complex was signed over to the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA). The first director, Col. William Cowart, came up with the name, National Aviation Facilities Experimental Center, or as it was to be known, NAFEC. This became a household word in Atlantic County which, at the time, had high unemployment and few job opportunities. On this over 5,000 acre government base, there were many vacant World War II era buildings. One of those was building 21, the former Officer’s Club.

A group of employees thought this would be a good place for newly arriving employees to meet and make social contacts; thus the NAFEC Association was born. The bylaws of this charter organization stated “The objective and purpose of the Association is to foster and enhance the social, recreational and educational opportunities and to provide for morale, comfort and welfare of personnel at NAFEC, their families and their guests”. These bylaws still stand today.

In January of 1967, the government gave notice that they needed the club house for office space and the best events of that time came to a temporary halt. The shrimp busts, chicken busts, luaus, Saint Patrick and Valentine Dances, Christmas parties and New Years Eve Bash/Breakfast, the likes of which you couldn’t believe, and all for prices that seemed impossible. After the club closed the NAFEC News (now The Center News) was born. In the beginning there was a seven member board of directors. However, this did not always reflect the needs and wants of all the employees, so more representation was needed. In 1967, the new bylaws were constructed to allow for one representative for every 50 employees. The council grew and a president was elected from that group.