A crowd turned out Friday night to show their support for Broomfield High athletics. They milled around the Event Center at Church Ranch rather than a gym or the sidelines of a field, though.

The sixth annual Broomfield High School Sports Gala presented by the booster club filled the event center for food — donated and served by area restaurants and prepared and served by students in the school’s ProStart program — silent and live auctions and music and dancing. But all that activity really only meant one thing — money for all BHS sports teams.

The gala replaces individual team fundraisers with one event that consistently raises $55,000 to $65,000 that will be used for school-wide athletics’ needs. Fran Milner, chairwoman of the gala, said based on preliminary estimates of proceeds she expects Friday’s event was right on pace in terms of fundraising.

The money raised will be distributed in May after coaches present their needs and wants to BHS Athletic Director Steve Shelton, she stated.

Proceeds from past galas have gone to myriad purposes at the school from field and training facility improvements, uniforms, equipment and even the eagle statue and marquee at the corner of Eagle Way and Main Street, according to the booster club.