Conifer High School students were surprised at a school assembly with the news that the school won a $280,000 grant to add lighting to its athletic field.
“As the only turf field along the (U.S.) 285 corridor, it is in high demand but only accessible during daylight hours,” said a release from . “Adding lights will increase usage by about 300 hours a year.”
Great Outdoors Colorado presented student athletes with a check at a surprise pep rally .
The Conifer Lobos Unified Boosters organization has raised about $75,000 toward its goal to get lights at the school’s Lobos Field, said Laura Cardon, a spokeswoman for Great Outdoors Colorado.
The funds and grant are steps toward the school’s bigger goal of $1.6 million for field improvements.
“Our Lobo Athletics Fields Improvement goal is to bring lights and amenities to the Lobo athletic fields so that more student athletics program can have use of the field and facilities throughout the year,” .
Conifer and Evergreen high schools face a longer commute than other schools to the district’s Jeffco Stadium 20 miles away in Lakewood, where almost all inter-district games are played and some teams travel for night practices. To get more home-game attendance, the two schools play each other in a Mountain Bowl on their own turfs and
Conifer’s field improvement goals are laid out in two phases: The first phase includes lights for the turf field, stands and pathway, team rooms and a concessions and ticket booth. The second phase outlines lights for practice fields, track and press box enhancements, and permanent bleachers for the main turf field.
On the Conifer Lobos Unified Boosters website, it says: “We believe this will be to the betterment of the individual athletic programs and to the community as a whole. Keeping students in the area will promote the patronization of local businesses and reduce highway miles up and down the mountain.”
Josie Klemaier: 303-954-2465, jklemaier@denverpost.com or twitter.com/JosieKlemaier
