WEEK OF NOVEMBER 7, 2024
VOLUME 80 | ISSUE 3
Riverdale Ridge captures first 5A softball crown in school history
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Thornton Community Center reopens with new Anythink branch
Ravens turn back top-seeded Cherokee Trail for first state title BY STEVE SMITH SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
If you’re a fan of Texas Leaguers and some well-placed base hits, then the Riverdale Ridge softball team is just for you. The Ravens pounded out 15 hits, 12 of which were singles, en route to an 8-4 win over Cherokee Trail High School. The Oct. 26 win at Aurora Sports Park in the Class 5A final gave Riverdale Ridge its first state softball title in school history. “We worked as a team,” said relief pitcher Mady Ortiz, who struck out for Cherokee Trail batters in two innings of work. “Our bats were on fire,” said Jaenna Sandoval, who had an RBI base hit in a five-run fifth inning. “We came out hot. The pitching was on fire. We wouldn’t be here without our seniors.” “There were times when I’ve left here (the state tournament) where I felt like, ‘Can I get us to where we need to be?’” said Head Coach Ray Garza. “The players doubt themselves, too. My words this week were, ‘Be phenomenal or be forgotten.’ They were phenomenal.” Coming up short
Riverdale Ridge advanced to its first state title game last season (in class 4A) but came up short against Lutheran High School. “We knew after last year we were coming back with vengeance,” Ortiz said. “The win against Broomfield (a come-from-behind, 9-8 win in the semifinals) really solidified us.” The Ravens felt they learned something from last year. “This one, we were more calm. It was just another game,” Ortiz said. “We weren’t like, ‘Oh my God. This is the championship game.’ We were very calm, very smooth, very relaxed. The coaches relaxed us. They talked us down, talked us up to do what we needed.” “Last year, we were nervous. We had so much pressure. This year, we were the underdogs,” Sandoval said. “We’ve been in this position. We came and did our job.” Winning pitcher Brynn Trujillo agreed. “We had experience from last year, and I know we lost,” she said. “It helped us. A lot of us were thinking, ‘This is just another game.’ You’re really playing ball at the end of the day.” SEE SOFTBALL, P31
The Anythink Thornton Community Center at 2211 Eppinger Boulevard is open for business.
Collaborative, state-of-the art facility is designed for neighborhood convenience BY MONTE WHALEY MWHALEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Erika Rubio walked into the newly minted Anythink Thornton Community Center on Wednesday morning and could not keep from beaming. “It’s just so beautiful,” Rubio said. “It’s clean and airy. It’s impressive. I may come here nearly every day.” Rubio is a 17-year resident of the neighborhood surrounding the new community center, located at 2211 Eppinger Boulevard, where the old Thornton Community Center once resided. On Saturday, the old gave way to the new as the gleaming Anythink facility opened for business. “We had about 2,000 people come through at the grand opening Saturday and everyone seemed happy with the new building,” said Mark Fink, executive director of the Anythink library system in Adams County. “It was a good mixture of the demo-
VOICES: 8 | CULTURE: 10 | CLASSIFIEDS: 11
graphics of the neighborhood, people who have lived here for quite some time and some newcomers who are moving to this part of Thornton,” Fink said. “I think we will have something here for anyone.” The 10,000-square-foot library/community center offers plenty of space for recreation, creativity and learning, say library officials. Anythink – which operates seven libraries and one bookmobile in Adams County – moved from its older building on York Street earlier this year. Fink said Anythink wanted to provide the latest in library resources – which includes an area for laptop checkouts – and maintain cozy spaces where adults and children can curl up with a good book. “We still have the cozy feel where you can warm yourself by a fireplace, relax and read,” he said. To that end, the library includes a whimsical children’s area with felt green leaves stretching overhead over a hollow tree where kids can retreat for a long read. There is also a teen area, meditation spaces just outside the library and a maker space for crafting activities. Fink said he expects at least 100,000 visitors will come through the library’s doors each year. He adds the visitors –
PHOTO BY MONTE WHALEY
which will include mostly nearby residents – will also set the agenda for the library and its services. “Community voices and contributions will shape what this space becomes,” said Fink. The Thornton Community Center features a gymnasium, basketball court, weight rooms, dance studios, boxing gym and other shared spaces. The building’s designer – Studiotrope Design Collective – wanted the community center and library to be built for sustainability and convenient use, say city officials. Because the community center and library share a space, residents don’t have to travel to separate facilities, officials say. “The opening of the new Anythink Thornton Community Center demonstrates our commitment to providing modern amenities for all of our residents,” Thornton Mayor Jan Kulmann said in a news release. “This beautiful facility will be a focus of activity and opportunity for the people in south Thornton and we hope residents from across the city will come to experience all that it has to offer.” The Anythink Thornton Community Center library is now open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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