Switchbacks Training Stadium

Switchbacks Training Stadium 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 was at 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.

Switchbacks Training Stadium
Former namesWeidner Field, Switchbacks Stadium, Sand Creek Stadium, Coleman Park
Location6303 Barnes Road,
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Coordinates38.895826°N 104.711321°W / 38.895826; -104.711321
OwnerRagain Sports, LLC
Executive suites12
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)

After Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC were awarded a franchise in USL Pro, now known as the USL Championship, it was announced on June 14, 2014, that the Colorado Springs City Council had approved an agreement that gave the new franchise a ten-year lease on the site.[2] On March 7, 2016, Sand Creek Stadium had a name proposal approved by the City of Colorado Springs Parks Department, and the name was changed to Switchbacks Stadium. This happened to avoid further confusion with the name of the nearby Sand Creek High School.[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]

The "Weidner Field" name is now used for an 8,000-seat stadium in downtown Colorado Springs that opened in April 2021 as the new home of Switchbacks FC. The new venue, although sitting at a lower altitude of 6,035 feet, will remain the highest in elevation used by an American professional soccer team. The "Weidner Field" name was officially transferred from the old stadium to the new downtown venue on October 15, 2020.[5]

References

  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.


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