Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
John Daley ReportingPeter Corroon, Salt Lake County Mayor: "And we just can't find a way to make this really work for the citizens of Salt Lake County."
A stunning blow for the proposed pro soccer stadium. Salt Lake County denies ReAL Salt Lake's request for millions in public funding. The requested 35 million taxpayer dollars would have helped build a new stadium in Sandy, but the County mayor said "No."
The team currently plays at Rice-Eccles Stadium, essentially a football stadium, but it wants a soccer-specific venue. Today stadium plans for Sandy were dashed, at least for now, as County Mayor Peter Corroon says the numbers just don't add up.
Seven months ago some of the state's leading political figures, including Sandy's mayor and the Speaker of the Utah House were looking on as plans were made to build in Sandy.
Dave Checketts, ReAL Salt Lake Owner, Oct. 2005: "We're going to build a stadium for the ages, right here in Sandy, Utah."
Gov. Jon Huntsman, (R) Utah, Oct. 2005: "We'll think back and see this announcement as a pretty visionary thing."
But for ReAL Salt Lake, that visionary goal now looks much more elusive, as Salt Lake County's mayor announced he's turning down a proposal to invest 35 million in taxpayer dollars into land and infrastructure improvements.
Peter Corroon, (D) Salt Lake County Mayor: "Just doesn't work; at least, we can't find a way to make it work."
The plan was to use transient room tax money charged to hotel customers, a plan team owner Dave Checketts said would not hurt taxpayers.
Dave Checketts, ReAL Salt Lake Owner, Oct. 2005: "This will not increase the burden on the Utah taxpayer. I have no desire to do that and we will not do that."
Trouble is that money is currently being used to fund tourism programs, the Salt Palace and South Towne Expo, and won't be available for 10 years.
Peter Corroon, (D) Salt Lake County Mayor: "So the bulk of the money doesn't come in until 2015, that's almost 10 years from now. So trying to take that money that's coming in 10 years from now and funding a bond just doesn't make sense."
No one from the team would go on camera today, but team officials tell KSL-TV ReAL is committed to making soccer a success in Utah and won't be derailed. Where the stadium search goes from here is uncertain. It could look to extend its lease with the University of Utah to keep playing there, but the league, Major League Soccer, has always said it prefers a grass field and soccer specific stadium.
