Bielenberg Sports Center/East Ridge High School Outdoor Facilities

Following its expansion in fall 2009, Bielenberg Sports Center has become one of the premier athletic complexes in the metro area.

The site, located south of Bailey Road and east of Radio Drive, features the East Ridge High School, Bielenberg Ice Arena/Field House, East Ridge Regional Storm Water Pond and the numerous athletic fields. There are approximately 40 acres of undeveloped land reserved for future park and community uses in the southwest and southeast corners of the site.

Taken altogether, the Bielenberg Sports Center/East Ridge High School site totals 320 acres of public lands, which provided a unique opportunity for cooperative planning and shared use of the new facilities. A master plan for the new school and BSC expansion was crafted to ensure site design and construction efficiencies.

Bielenberg Sports Center/East Ridge High School combined field map (670 KB)

The 'new' BSC
Prior to the expansion, there were six soccer/football fields and eight baseball/softball fields at BSC. The expansion increased the total number of fields to 36 -- 18 each of soccer/football fields and baseball/softball fields. The number of lighted fields also expanded. The number of lighted soccer fields increased from three to five; lighted baseball/softball fields grew from five to nine.

Two future additions to the BSC complex, which are already in the works, are the Miracle Field, a ball field specially designed to accommodate persons with disabilities, and "Madison's Place," an inclusive playground that will be completely handicapped accessible so disabled and able-bodied children can play together. The Woodbury Rotary Club is raising funds for the Miracle Field, while the Madison Claire Foundation is behind efforts to develop the playground. Both groups welcome community support and donations.

Site maintenance
Under a cost-sharing agreement with the school district, the city is responsible for maintenance of all the fields, with the exception of the multi-purpose stadium. The stadium and areas immediately around the school will be maintained by the district.

The city doesn't mow the entire site. Staff worked with Prairie Restorations to create natural areas with native prairie plantings. In addition, a variety of rain gardens are sprinkled around the site to help infiltrate storm water and reduce runoff. Approximately 2,000 trees are being planted to enhance the landscaping.

The city also is using an innovative approach to irrigation. Storm water that runs into a holding pond is being pumped out of the pond to help irrigate the site. A well that is separate from the city's municipal water system augments the pond, as necessary. Overall, a great deal of attention has been given to both storm water quantity and quality.

A 20-acre natural area with wetlands and woods was preserved in the center of the site. More than 50 acres of wetland and sloped area was seeded in native grasses and wildflowers and, when established, will require minimal maintenance. The majority of storm water is designed to be infiltrated or stored on site and water will only discharge from the site during extreme storm events.

Site facts

• More than 1 million cubic yards of dirt were moved to shape the site.
• More than 2,000 trees were planted on the site.
• The athletic fields were seeded with 20,000 pounds of four varieties of Kentucky bluegrass and two varieties of perennial ryegrass.
• Irrigation water from a well and storm water pond is pumped through 22 miles of irrigation lines to 3,650 irrigation heads.
• The fields are mowed two to three times per week and it takes one person 45 hours to complete one mowing.
• Roadways within the site contain six roundabouts.
• There are more than 5 miles of paved pathways that connect the site amenities.
• There are four park shelter/restroom buildings.
• There are 2,300 parking spaces distributed in six color-coded regions.
• The East Ridge High School stadium capacity is 3,000.