Prarie Gateway Sports Complex (Commerce City, CO)

by **Sonny** on Tue Sep 27, 2005 6:06 pm

Kroenke breaks ground at Prarie Gateway

Kroenke Sports Enterprises LLC of Denver breaks ground Sept. 28 on its $130 million Prairie Gateway sports complex in Commerce City.

Located at 56th Avenue and Quebec Street, the project has been expanded since it picked its site in the summer of 2004.

The property's focal point, a soccer stadium, now may include 26,000 seats, as opposed to the 18,000 to 20,000 seats initially envisioned, according to Kroenke Sports.

The original 15 soccer and lacrosse practice fields have been increased to 24 fields. The higher number of fields are required for the tournaments Kroenke Sports hopes to attract to Prairie Gateway.

The stadium will be home to Kroenke Sports' Colorado Rapids professional soccer team, which belongs to Major League Soccer. The Rapids also will share the practice fields with Kroenke's Colorado Mammoth pro lacrosse squad as well as youth soccer and lacrosse teams. The Mammoth are part of the National Lacrosse League.

Outside interest in the sports complex has prompted the possibility of a neighboring hotel, as well as 600,000 square feet of retail space. Adams County is interested in building high schools nearby, which could use the sports facility.

Retail developers like the site because it's near expanding north metro-area neighborhoods such as Stapleton and Montbello. The complex is just north of the NorthField at Stapleton outdoor retail district currently under construction.

The stadium and practice fields are scheduled to open in April 2007. Kansas City-based HOK Sport designed the stadium.

full article:
http://denver.bizjournals.com/denver/st ... ily24.html

**Sponsor**

by **Sonny** on Thu Sep 29, 2005 5:09 pm

Stadium kicks off "new era"

Another article from Denver Post:
http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_3070139

by **laxfan25** on Fri Sep 30, 2005 9:07 am

We'll be anxiously awaiting their bid for the MDIA championships! Of course then the complaint will be the lack of oxygen!

by **byualum** on Fri Sep 30, 2005 11:33 am

I think there will be a real chance of Kroenke bidding on the MDIA tourney...he will be the owner of the new MLL franchise and has Gary Gait working for Kroenke Sports. He's certainly in-tune to lacrosse more than most major sports (NBA, NHL) owners.

by **Sonny** on Fri Sep 30, 2005 6:00 pm

Largest soccer complex in U.S.

When it is finished before the inaugural game on April 21, 2007, the Prairie Gateway soccer complex will be the largest in the United States. Almost 1,000 acres total, the complex will feature 24 lighted fields (grass and Turf) in addition to the 18,000-seat stadium. (Actually, the venue can accommodate 26,000 for concerts, and some of the bleachers can be moved outside for other high-profile games at the complex.)

http://www.cybersoccernews.com/mls/rapi ... ladv.shtml

by **lil lady lax fan** on Fri Sep 30, 2005 6:07 pm

Hey Sonny,

How much did USLIA pay to have it designed to their specs?? :lol:

by **Sonny** on Fri Sep 30, 2005 6:09 pm

lil lady lax fan wrote:Hey Sonny,

How much did USLIA pay to have it designed to their specs??

The MDIA (not USLIA) didn't pay a dime. Maybe US Lacrosse (USL) - the parent organization that oversees the MDIA - did. :lol:

by **lil lady lax fan** on Sat Oct 01, 2005 8:19 pm

Sounds fair to me since both MDIA and WDIA are playing (sorry for the mixup, I meant USL not USLIA).

Do you think Denver would be considered a serious contender in the future?

If they bid, that is...

by **James Foote** on Wed Nov 09, 2005 3:47 pm

Wouldn't surprise me to see a bid out here in Denver. Especially when the guy that owns the team owns a professional lacrosse franchise and every athletic team that calls the Pepsi Center home. Plus you have CU and CSU out here both within an hour and a half of Denver.

by **John Westfall** on Mon Nov 21, 2005 8:19 pm

This makes real sense. Denver is the Baltimore of the west when it comes to Lacrosse and would be a great location to have the National Tourney. Yes the altitude may effect some teams but if you are a Championship Team that is in good shape it wont matter. I really believe you could sell out the stands for the MDIA National Championship for both Div. A and B. Also I think you could make a huge profit for the league with this location. It would be a little further to come for some eastern teams but I think overall it would be a place that everyone would enjoy coming to every year. Denver has a lot to do for everyone even Families. I take my Son Jackson out there every year to see his Rockies play but most of all we enjoy Denver as a place to have a lot of one on one time.

It has been almost 10 years since I coached at Mines but when I was out there, there were over 35 Varsity High School Lacrosse programs in the Denver Metro area. Lax World even has a store there and there are several other small Lax Stores. Lacrosse is taking off in the Rocky Mountain region and I believe it would be a great home for our venue. There really are some great Lacrosse fans in Denver. I hope the Board goes with this location. It really is a winner for the MDIA.

All the best,