I know I posted this image into the Highlands Bluebirds 2023 thread before last season, with the "hope" that this new facility would be ready for the Fall of 2024 season.  Well like all "major" projects, not all the ducks (or should we say "Birds") got in a row to make that happen.  Fort Thomas/Highlands are still getting this done but the completion date has been kicked to hopefully have the Fall 2025 soccer season being the Grand Opening season.  The kids are stoked to get to play on this great complex that it will be.  It will be a nice Community addition for Fort Thomas for the public to utilize as well.

With that being said the main question was "Where will the soccer programs be moved to during Fall of 2024 season?"  

Well, in the last week or so it was communicated to the parents that BOTH the girls & boys soccer programs will be utilizing the NKU Stadium for their "Home" site, for games and practices (after school starts), during the summer months the soccer programs will be practicing on the Highlands football field strategically working with the Football program to share time on the field in a very methodical way.

There is also some discussion to have 1-3 "Home" games for both programs being played on the Highlands football field for potentially those special nights like "Senior Night" and maybe a rivalry game to have that more Homey feel.

If you have been around the Soccer Complex you will notice they have already started the ground work on the access roads around the complex and probably will be starting breaking ground in the actual soccer field area at the beginning of this summer.  Stay tuned!!!  I will try to post some pictures of the progress....

#GO BIRDS!!!

Looks like an awesome facility. 

Where is it in relation to the school?

On 5/1/2024 at 9:02 AM, TheDeuce said:

Looks like an awesome facility. 

Where is it in relation to the school?

It is at the same location as the current field. It is being reconfigured to make the track a full 8 lanes and to be able to have Lacrosse. It is located at Tower Park on the South end of Fort Thomas. It is about 2 miles from the High School. 

Wow!  That looks like a super nice facility!

I saw above from @FirstTimeLongTime that Highlands has lacrosse.  Do they have both boys and girls' teams?  Also how do they get along with the football team?  I ask because some football coaches don't want their players playing lacrosse in the spring.   

Love the idea of the blue track.  Really frames the facility well.  That parking lot sure beats the two level, (about) 20 car lot they have now.  ?

19 hours ago, Purple88 said:

Wow!  That looks like a super nice facility!

I saw above from @FirstTimeLongTime that Highlands has lacrosse.  Do they have both boys and girls' teams?  Also how do they get along with the football team?  I ask because some football coaches don't want their players playing lacrosse in the spring.   

The field will be able to host Lacrosse matches. It currently isn't able. There is a chance Lacrosse starts as a club sport next season so still a couple to 3 years out before it is a Varsity sport. 

HHS Soccer Complex Construction as of the end of today.

The retaining wall for the new Soccer facility is in the background.  The new buildings will run from the new wall by the road to where the goal is located closest to the camera.

If you look at the rendering of the facility first posted you can see how close the building is to the road.

Prints of the new buildings placed over the current field/track.  Road is at the bottom.

Although the print shows three buildings the rendering shows that they will be connected with two entry point to the field.

 

 

 

Fort Thomas Independent Schools update articles for Summer 2024 was mailed out to residents and the below update on the Soccer/Track was provided.

Traditions a district publication of Fort Thomas Independent Schools 

Update on Field progress.  Began working on the track first turn on the right side of the field.  To hold the hill side and new street location they are placing 30 foot I-Beams onto the ground.

Update as of Aug 21st.

Work continues on the Right Turn of the track.  Also the back straight away and start of the Left turn wall is completed.  This wall will allow the field to be raised 4 feet higher than the previous field.

 

30 foot I Beam to support right turn of 8 lane track

 

Reinforced concrete wall with reinforced concrete pillars underground

The property at this end is lower and the wall was needed to raise the field 4 feet.

New load of I-Beams being delivered.  Also the dirt is being repurposed to raise the field.

New view perspective - field/track with stands

Sept 2nd update of facilities construction.

Track Right turn I-Beam support wall nearly completed.  Land in front of wall will be used to raise the field approx. 4 feet.  Once all I-Beams are placed the top of the beams will be cut to the contour of the land.