St. Pius breaks ground on new sports facility to open in 2027
It was hard to figure out which was louder: the popping tubes of confetti when St. Pius school officials broke ground on a new stadium Thursday, or the cheers that followed when the previously contained black and gold flakes — the Sartans’ school colors — burst into the air. No, it wasn’t for Curtis Flakes Jr.
’s 44th birthday, but the St. Pius football coach couldn’t help but appreciate the moment anyway. “What a birthday gift,” Flakes said with a grin.
“Having our own home field? We’re super excited about that. ” The rest of St.
Pius’ students, coaches, teachers, administrators and alumni are looking forward to the planned 2027 opening, too, even if the school’s future multiuse facility for football, soccer, and track and field is currently a small pile of dirt next to an excavator. Hey, every project has to start somewhere. And for this project, that meant a groundbreaking ceremony in front of Ben Rios Field — the school’s current soccer stadium.
“There’s been so many memories and great experiences on this field, so it’s a little bittersweet in that way,” said boys soccer coach AJ Herrera, who won four state titles during his playing career at St. Pius and was the 1998-99 New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year. “But this is the right decision for the school and the athletic programs, and that makes this super exciting.