Athletes from Lakeridge Middle School and the surrounding community are now enjoying a multi-use facility that was formally dedicated the afternoon of Dec. 11.

Among the projects associated with the February 2016, voter-approved bond measure was the development of a complex on the Lakeridge grounds, sitting along Myers Road in Bonney Lake. The bond measure totaled $145.6 million and, among the many projects to be funded, were improvements to all three middle schools in the Sumner-Bonney Lake School District.

The official ribbon-cutting at Lakeridge was done before a boys’ soccer game on the afternoon of the 11th.

The facility includes an artificial-turf field, ringed by what will eventually be a synthetic, all-weather track. While the field is already in use, the track’s final steps won’t be completed until the spring. Tim Thomsen, the district athletic director, said the construction season didn’t allow time for the rubberized track surface to be installed. Completion of the track is expected in late spring, he said.

The covered grandstands – adding to the comfort of visitors – were moved from Bonney Lake High School, made available when the Panthers’ stadium received upgrades this fall.

The Lakeridge facility has been a hit throughout the Sumner-Bonney Lake community, Thomsen said, explaining that the turf is home to a variety of sports. It will host Lakeridge soccer and football games, but also has attracted rugby and lacrosse teams and club football programs.

“It’s definitely being used by the community. This time of year it’s a huge resource,” Thomsen said, noting that Lakeridge has stadium lighting while Sumner Middle School does not.

CORRECTION: The print version of the story incorrectly reported “additional comments” about the field were made during halftime. Because of the rain, the comments were all made during the ribbon cutting.