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Weidner Field

Coordinates: 38°49′35″N 104°49′41″W / 38.826363°N 104.828191°W / 38.826363; -104.828191
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Weidner Field
Home of the Switchbacks
Weidner Field, June 2021
Map
Location111 W. Cimarron St.,
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Coordinates38°49′35″N 104°49′41″W / 38.826363°N 104.828191°W / 38.826363; -104.828191
OperatorSwitchbacks Entertainment
Capacity8,000
SurfaceSynthetic with Corkonut Infill
Construction
Broke groundDecember 7, 2019[1]
OpenedApril 24, 2021
Construction cost$42,000,000
ArchitectPerkins&Will Architects
Tenants
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
(2021–present)

Weidner Field is a soccer-specific stadium located in downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States. Having opened on April 24, 2021, it is home to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC who compete in the second level of U.S. men's professional soccer, the USL Championship (USLC). While designed for soccer with a seating capacity of 8,000, the stadium is capable of hosting other types of events reaching a capacity as high as 15,000.[2][3] Sitting at an altitude of roughly 6,035 feet (1,839 m) above sea level, the facility has the highest elevation of any stadium used by a professional team in the American soccer pyramid.[4] It replaces the former Weidner Field, now known as Martin 'Ed' Ragain Field, a smaller venue in the east of the city.

The stadium was part of a collection of projects led by the City of Colorado Springs known as City for Champions including the US Olympic and Paralympic Museum, Ed Robson Arena, William J Hybl Sports Medicine and Performance Center, and Air Force Academy Visitor Center. Weidner Field was designed to energize the downtown area, spur adjacent real estate investment, increase tourism, and bring a sprawling community together. Plans for the new stadium were officially unveiled in July 2018.[2] Design details were revealed in July 2019, and the ceremonial groundbreaking took place that December.[1]

Naming rights are held by Weidner Apartment Homes, an owner in the Club[2] and sponsored the naming rights for the former stadium. The "Weidner Field" name was officially transferred from the old stadium to the new venue on October 15, 2020.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b Skovira, Kristen (December 7, 2019). "Switchbacks FC break ground on Downtown Stadium". Colorado Springs, CO: KRDO-TV. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Spedden, Zach (July 26, 2018). "Plans Unveiled for New Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Stadium". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  3. ^ Spedden, Zach (July 18, 2019). "New Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Stadium Design Details Emerge". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  4. ^ Snouwaert, Jessica (May 16, 2021). "4 facts about Weidner Field you probably did not know". The Gazette. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  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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