Like one of the many laser guided shots to which it will soon put on display, the Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium is aimed at its goal of finishing in time for its early spring opening.

The stadium’s constructional swiftness has been unparalleled relative to other projects around campus.

In fact, the project will have taken less than a year from when groundbreaking took place on July 9, 2004 to when the facility is formally opened on March 5.

Plans for the estimated $6.5-$7 million stadium kicked off in spring 2002 during the second annual Pioneer Face-off Classic when the men’s team played lacrosse powerhouse Syracuse University.

The event sold out, quickly filling the temporary bleacher seating, and the hordes of fans were forced to sit on the west-facing hill next to the Ritchie Center to watch the game.

Seeing this, Chancellor Ritchie suggested that the school look into building a lacrosse stadium, which would become the first such stadium to be used exclusively for the sport in the country.

From there, DU began fundraising and approached Laura Barton, who was willing to contribute the principle donation of $2.75 million to make the endeavor happen.

It benefits not only DU, but the whole Colorado lacrosse community.

The stadium’s namesake comes from Barton’s late husband, Peter, who died from cancer in September 2002 at the age of 51.

Barton’s gift was made eight months later.

Peter is described as having been a risk taking Denver entrepreneur and family man that was the former president and chief executive of Liberty Media Corp.

Liberty is a cable company best known for being behind the creation of the television network MTV.

Among Peter’s many ties to the university, he was formerly an adjunct professor at Daniels College of Business.

In 2000, with a $1 million gift, Peter also helped to establish the DU-based Privacy Foundation.

This is an organization that monitors the loss of personal privacy by means of the Internet.

Additionally, Peter loved to play and coach youth lacrosse and taught the game to his three children.

The stadium will feature permanent concrete bench seating for up to 2,000 people, men’s and women’s locker rooms, restrooms and a concessions area.

In addition, it has a two-directional viewing pavilion that will face both the lacrosse and soccer fields.

The stadium will also be the new home of the Colorado Lacrosse Foundation, the Colorado chapter of US Lacrosse.

A conference room in the stadium will house the Colorado Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

The project has women’s lacrosse coach Cathy Reese very excited.

“We are really looking forward to playing and practicing in the completed stadium,” said Reese.

She added, “It is going to be amazing!”

Men’s coach Jamie Munro echoed Reese’s elation.

“We feel very lucky to be here at this time with such a world class facility,” he said.

Discussing the effect of the stadium, Munro continued, “I think recruiting will be impacted significantly as will the day-to-day lives of the players.”

“Additionally, fans and the surrounding lacrosse community will have an overall better experience,” he said.

Be a part of history by checking out the opening of the stadium at the fifth annual Pioneer Face-off Classic.

The men’s lacrosse team plays host to Lafayette College on March 5 and Towson University on March 6.