LITS, the major changes that happen when I was there were Macallister Hall (Engineering Bldg) added/renewed during 2nd class yr-was not complete until 1st yr, the football field was completed renewed 2nd class yr-it looked like the pictures in "Life of a Cadet", Jacobs rock and lower field rowing center completely renewed my 2nd class yr and Roland Hall was already in existence. To have the Academy solely for the Cadets/Officers/Enlisted/Civilians who were attached made for a great experience of all the facilities with little competition. The facilities were Top Notch then. I imagine that it can be hard use such facilities with so many others vying for them.
I got to CGA just after Satterlee Hall was redone.
While I was there, Waesche Hall had some work done (including the Admissions Office). The heads in Chase Hall were "upgraded". Most of my cadet career was in A-Annex, so while the "group showers" thing was "insteresting," it certainly beat the showers in C-D Annexes, which had stalls. "But that's more privacy!" True, but you also can't duck out of the way of cold water when you first turn on the shower.
I think the Observatory was cleaned out.
While I was there the Alumni Association was also built (finished my 2/c or 1/c year) and Cadet Memorial Field (the football field) was replaced with smart-turf. The score box was also updated.
What we called "Rambo Trail" which was the dirty trail down the side of the hill to lower field, through rocks and weeds (where you'd jump the train tracks) is now a nice bridge. Honestly, for my 4/c year I thought it was called "Rainbow Trail" which, in the days of Don't Ask Don't Tell confused me. Rambo Trail eventually made more sense.
The workout room in Billard Hall was updated a couple of years into my time at CGA (my old first aid classroom is now the workout room).
Eventually the rarely (if ever) used "Visitor Center" that was hidden behind Roland Hall, was removed. I think the only time I ever saw that center was when I was looking at CGA in 2001. I'm not even sure how often it was even open.
The year after I left the outdoor track on lower field, and the baseball and softball fields also were redone, and a portion of the upper parking lot (where I enjoyed crying over my Swab Summer HAHAHA) was destroyed to make room for the new Annex.
The Dry Dock was updated and a "Student Union" was added in Leamy Hall. The Exchange got some GREAT upgrades. Eventually Leamy Auditorium was upgraded too.
My best friend invited me up to CGA last year to attend homecoming (not our reunion year) to play in the golf tournament. The place looks great. We took tours of Chase Hall, which, at least in part, is now air conditioned.
The school has never looked better..... granted some buildings such as Smith Hall could use some love. I think the next time you go back you'll really like the changes. The place looks good. Of course, CGA always looks better once you've graduated. I think it looks better and better the longer you're away too.