Home at last: Eagle Ridge Academy’s new soccer field Bridge St. widening moves ahead

BY SCOTT TAYLOR STAYLOR@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A longer sidewalk along the north side of Bridge Street would be great, but City Councilors said it’s more important to get to work widening the street.

“ is is a project that’s been in the works for a long time and I think we all agree we need to undertake this for the future of the city,” City Manager Michael Martinez told councilors. “But want to make sure we present you with all the options. We can get moving right away without having all the rights-of-way in place, but there is a cost for this.”

It had been seven years, six months and six days since the last home soccer game for Eagle Ridge Academy. And that game wasn’t even played at the school; it was held down the road at Donelson Park in Brighton.

Up until 2023, the team had to play on neutral turf or on an opponent’s home eld, even when they were the dedicated “home team.” at all changed on April 27, when the school debuted its new, $2.5 million soccer eld for the Warriors. e radiant green turf is decorated with beautiful maroon and gold around the perimeter. Construction, match against Denver’s DSST College View High School. e Warriors wasted no time enjoying their rst-ever home eld game, dominating College View in a 9-1 route. Felix Estrada, head girls’ soccer coach at Eagle Ridge, said the excitement to get on the eld was through the roof.

“Oh man, they’re really excited,” Estrada said. “ ey’ve just wanted to play for so long, and with this new eld that we got, they’re amazing. Last week, they were all anxious to be over here.” e Warriors are 4-4 so far this year but have all of May to add to ough the season has been solid so far, he said, having a home eld for the rst time can act as a catalyst for success going forward. It’s easier to practice on and now is a symbol of pride for the Warriors. e community and camaraderie have always been there, but now there is their own castle to defend. It makes a di erence, Estrada said.

“Now you can nd the spaces,” he said. “You can teach them di erent stu . You can create spaces for drills. You can do all these things with practice on the eld [that we

City Councilors gave their thumbs up to a plan to widen the road between 22nd and 42nd avenues, a $21.5 million project that will last at least two years, during their study session meeting April 25. Councilors are scheduled to see the matter on their agenda for a formal approval soon.

“If we come back May 16 for a contract awards, and then it’ll take a couple of weeks to get all the contracts signed,” said Christopher Montoya, the assistant director of public works. “ ere is preliminary discussion of a June groundbreaking.”

Montoya said the project will use 35 million pounds of asphalt, 13,000 feet of storm pipe. Plans call for adding four new tra c lights and one

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