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Switchbacks Training Stadium

Coordinates: 38°53′45″N 104°42′41″W / 38.895826°N 104.711321°W / 38.895826; -104.711321
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Martin 'Ed' Ragain Field
Map
Former namesWeidner Field, Switchbacks Stadium, Sand Creek Stadium
Location6303 Barnes Road,
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Coordinates38°53′45″N 104°42′41″W / 38.895826°N 104.711321°W / 38.895826; -104.711321
OwnerColorado Springs, Parks and Recreation Deptarment
Capacity5,000
Field sizeGrass Pitch 120 x 76
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Built1985
Opened1985
Renovated2014–2015
Construction cost$8 million
ArchitectPopulous Architects (overlay)
Tenants
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USLC) (2015–2020)
Colorado Springs Blizzard (PDL) (2005–2006)
Switchbacks Stadium Logo (2016-17)

"Martin 'Ed' Ragain Field" is a 5,000-seat soccer-specific stadium built in Colorado Springs, Colorado. At an altitude of roughly 6,600 feet above sea-level,[1] the stadium had the highest elevation of any primary home stadium used by a professional team in the American soccer pyramid through the 2020 season. The stadium is immediately adjacent to UCHealth Park.

The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC were awarded a USL Pro franchise (now known as the USL Championship) in December of 2013. On June 14, 2014, the Colorado Springs City Council approved an agreement that gave the Switchbacks a ten-year lease on the site with the right to sell naming rights in exchange for a $3M investment into facility improvements.[2] On March 7, 2016, Sand Creek Stadium had a new name proposal approved by the City of Colorado Springs changing the name to "Switchbacks Stadium". This helped avoid confusion with the name of the nearby Sand Creek High School and its stadium.[3] On February 14, 2017, Weidner Apartment Homes purchased the stadium naming rights for an undisclosed amount, and the stadium was renamed Weidner Field.[4]

In 2021, the Switchbacks opened a new 8,000 seat stadium in Downtown Colorado Springs. Ed Ragain and Dean Weidner formed a new partnership to build the stadium, run the team, and operate the facility. Weidner Apartment Homes also purchased the naming rights for the new stadium creating two facilities with the same name in Colorado Springs, Weidner Field.[5] On June 24, 2022, the City of Colorado Springs renamed 6303 Barnes Rd stadium to "Martin 'Ed' Ragain Field" to commemorate the work and investment made by Ed Ragain and family.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Fox, Dan (July 11, 2006). "Security Service Field: Context Matters". Baseball Prospectus. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  2. ^ "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on 2014-09-29. Retrieved 2014-09-29.
  3. ^ Ragain, Nicholas. "Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC » City of Colorado Springs Parks Department Unanimously Approves Sand Creek Stadium Renaming to Switchbacks Stadium". switchbacksfc.com. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  4. ^ Huber, Joel. "Weidner Apartment Homes Buys Switchbacks Stadium Naming Rights". switchbacksfc.com. Retrieved February 14, 2017.
  5. ^ "Colorado Springs Switchbacks Name Downtown Stadium Weidner Field" (Press release). Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. October 15, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  6. ^ "Parks_board_january_2022.draft_.PDF | City of Colorado Springs" (PDF).
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