COLORADO SPRINGS — Friday afternoon a beam of light took center stage in downtown Colorado Springs as Switchbacks FC hosted a "Topping Ceremony" for their new stadium set to open in 2021.
With Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers on hand to give the ceremonial orders, the final piece of steel was laid for a stadium years in the makings.
"It's a lifelong dream, it's a family business to some degree and we've been dreaming about this project for a long, long time," Switchbacks FC owner Ed Ragain said.
The organization allowed fans to sign the blue beam before it was installed and a tree was placed atop the piece of metal as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
"I'm really really excited about this," Suthers said. "I'm a sports fan, I've always dreamed of a downtown stadium, I think a lot of people have dreamed about a downtown stadium. Here we are, it's getting pretty close to reality."
One of the last key pieces of the "City for Champions" project, the brand new soccer stadium, which is on schedule, will provide another great venue for the people of Southern Colorado to enjoy sports at the highest level.
"Real conceptual sort of thing in 2013, where we would like to do this," Suthers said. "To see things coming out of the ground, is just really remarkable."
In both rain and shine, the show went on with dozens of fans stopping by to take in the festivities. A sign of exciting times to come for soccer fans in the area.
"This is going to be an incredible catalyst for downtown, especially in this quadrant," Suthers said.
