{{Short description|Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colorado}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox venue | name = Martin 'Ed' Ragain Field | former_names = Weidner Field, Switchbacks Stadium, Sand Creek Stadium | nickname = | logo_image = | logo_caption = | image = Martin-Ed-Ragain-Field.jpg | caption = Martin 'Ed' Ragain Field during a July 2019 match. | fullname = | location = 6303 Barnes Road,<br /> Colorado Springs, Colorado | coordinates = {{coord|38.895826|-104.711321|type:landmark|display=it}} | broke_ground = July 23, 2014 | built = 1985 | opened = 1985 | renovated = 2014–2015 | expanded = | closed = | demolished = | owner = Colorado Springs, Parks and Recreation Deptarment | operator = | surface = Grass | scoreboard = | cost = $8 million | architect = Populous Architects (overlay) | project_manager = | structural_engineer = ME Engineers | services_engineer = | general_contractor = Bryan Construction | main_contractors = | capacity = 5,000 | suites = | record_attendance = | dimensions = Grass Pitch 120 x 76 | acreage = | tenants = Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (USLC) (2015–2020) <br /> Colorado Springs Blizzard (PDL) (2005–2006) }}
thumbnail|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,<ref name=":0">{{cite web |title=Security Service Field: Context Matters|first=Dan|last=Fox|url=http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060711&content_id=104479&vkey=news_t551&fext=.jsp&sid=t551|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717081607/http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060711&content_id=104479&vkey=news_t551&fext=.jsp&sid=t551|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 17, 2012|work=Baseball Prospectus|date=July 11, 2006|accessdate=February 20, 2014}}</ref> 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.
== History == The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC were awarded a USL Pro franchise (now known as the USL Championship) in December 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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/824281.html |title=United Soccer Leagues (USL) |access-date=2014-09-29 |archive-date=2014-09-29 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140929161325/http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/824281.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> A groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 23, 2014.<ref name=":0" />
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://switchbacksfc.com/city-of-colorado-springs-parks-department-unanimously-approves-sand-creek-stadium-renaming-to-switchbacks-stadium/|title=Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC » City of Colorado Springs Parks Department Unanimously Approves Sand Creek Stadium Renaming to Switchbacks Stadium|last=Ragain|first=Nicholas|website=switchbacksfc.com|accessdate=March 7, 2016|archive-date=May 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503073226/http://switchbacksfc.com/city-of-colorado-springs-parks-department-unanimously-approves-sand-creek-stadium-renaming-to-switchbacks-stadium/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On February 14, 2017, Weidner Apartment Homes purchased the stadium naming rights for an undisclosed amount, and the stadium was renamed Weidner Field.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.switchbacksfc.com/news_article/show/757669?referrer_id=2954845/|title=Weidner Apartment Homes Buys Switchbacks Stadium Naming Rights|last=Huber|first=Joel|website=switchbacksfc.com|accessdate=February 14, 2017}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.switchbacksfc.com/news_article/show/1127860 |title=Colorado Springs Switchbacks Name Downtown Stadium Weidner Field |publisher=Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC |date=October 15, 2020 |accessdate=November 2, 2020}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://coloradosprings.gov/document/parksboardjanuary2022.draft.pdf | title=Parks_board_january_2022.draft_.PDF | City of Colorado Springs }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.switchbacksfc.com Switchbacks Website] *[https://www.weidner.com/ Weidner Apartment Homes] *[https://www.weidnerfield.com Weidner Field]
Category:Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC Category:Sports venues in Colorado Springs, Colorado Category:Soccer venues in Colorado Category:Tourist attractions in Colorado Springs, Colorado Category:1985 establishments in Colorado Category:Sports venues completed in 1985 Category:USL Championship stadiums {{Colorado Springs Switchbacks}}
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