In the span of a couple of sentences, Eagle Ridge Academy three-sport athlete and student body president Megan Derby summed up the appearance of a new soccer field at her school.

                “We were known as a little school with no field and that we expected to be destroyed,” she said during groundbreaking ceremonies Sept. 23. “We moved onto the next day by working hard. And now, we can celebrate our victories at home.”

                The process to build a home field has been an eight-year effort In some years, Eagle Ridge was able to play in public parks in Brighton but never on a home field. That will change in time for the girls soccer season. The field is due to be completed in late February.            

                Athletic director Zach Henning said the lack of a home field caused students to miss time from school and time with their families.

                “It’s a dream come true,” he said. “We’ve had our ups and downs, but the field is finally a reality. Our young men and women have been committed to playing and perfecting their craft. Now, they will have a field they can call home.”

                The location of the field is south of the main parking lot to the school.

                “One of the most important values we have at Eagle Ridge is we want to have fun,” said ERA board President Luke Cable. “For us, the soccer field is big. But we have lots of things we want to do still.”

                The area will also be open for school physical education classes.

                “We’re going to put the field to good use,” Derby said. “I’ve been waiting for three years for this. The only thing that kept us from going to state last year was this field. We’ll have it in 2022.”

                The target date for completion is Feb. 24, said ERA Head of School Scott Richardson. Spring sports practice, which includes girls soccer, starts Feb. 27.

                “Since the school’s inception, this has been a dream,” Richardson said. “We’ve worked hard on this the past several years.”