Article Contributed on: 10/2/2009 8:17:12 AM
Friday night football will take on a new meaning Oct. 2 when the high school rivalry between Conifer and Evergreen plays out at a home game between the two schools at Evergreen High School.
Anointed as the 'Mountain Bowl,' the effort to re-energize fans and keep the game above the mile-high city is the result of cooperation between the schools, volunteers, local businesses and the Jefferson County School District.
Bill Yearsley, president of the EHS Football Booster Club said the process started more than a year ago. He credited Kent Waryan and Keith Molholm with the school district and Carol Way with the Conifer Booster Club for their involvement.
The answer to the true home-game experience came through the purchase of portable bleachers, which both schools will share. Yearsley said the boosters raised $20k and the school district provided matching funds.
"We looked at renting bleachers and the cost for four games was the same as the cost to purchase them," Yearsley said.
The $40k investment in 28 sets of the tip-and-roll aluminum bleachers will seat 2,100. CHS is already planning to use them for graduation ceremonies and will host the EHS vs CHS game next year.
During fundraising efforts to raise money for the bleachers, Yearsley said local businesses also recognized the potential benefit to the local economy.
"Everybody in both towns has been great. What we've heard from folks is how they'd love to go to a home game if they don't have to drive down the hill," said Yearsley.
EHS athletic director Tony Barnett said, "We're encouraging people to bring blankets and take the shuttle bus."
CHS will sell a $10 package that includes a ride to and from the game on a spirit bus that will leave 10441 County Road 73 at 5:30 p.m. Cost to students is $8. Evergreen fans are encouraged to take a free shuttle that will run continuously to and from three parking lots: Albertsons, 30931 Stagecoach Blvd.; Safeway, 3851 Colorado 74 and the RTD park-n-Ride, 4291 Evergreen Parkway. The game is at 7 p.m. at EHS, 29300 Buffalo Park Road. Tickets at the gate are $5 students, $7 adults, children younger than 6, free.