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John Daley ReportingHe's still open to listening, but remains to be convinced. That's the word from Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon after Real Salt Lake owner Dave Checketts said he's still optimistic about a public financing deal for a new soccer stadium.
The team currently plays at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Last week, Mayor Corroon said no to a public funding proposal for a new ReAL stadium in Sandy, and his office has been flooded with emails and phone calls, mostly supporting the decision.
When he said "no" to a 35 million dollar public funding proposal, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon soon got more calls and emails from citizens than he's had on any issue in his first year in office.
Peter Corroon, (D) Salt Lake County Mayor: "I think people feel comfortable with the decision that was made."
After the decision last week, the Mayor received 134 emails -- only 14 were critical, 120 applauded the move.
From: Reed H
Subject: Soccer Stadium
Message: "Best decision in SL County government in decades."
From: Brenda M
Subject: soccer stadium
Message: "I really appreciate my tax dollars not being used to fund a private business."
From: Gad
Subject: Soccer Stadium
Message: "Thanks for standing up to the pressure from the special interests."
From: Michael L.
Subject: Soccer Decision
Message: "You're right, the numbers don't work."
From: Jacob S.
Subject: Decision on soccer stadium
Message: "This would have been a bad deal for taxpayers."
From: Scott
Subject: Screwing RSL
Message: "You are a blathering idiot. It's insulting that you claim to be putting the people of Salt Lake County first, when it's obvious that you just hate soccer."
From: Kendall H.
Subject: Soccer Stadium
Message: "It's a great think for Utah to get more of these types of community-growing activities. I, for one, am willing to put some extra money into my taxes for it..."
ReAL's owner says the old proposal will now be thrown out. He expects officials from ReAL, Sandy, the county and state to regroup and come up with a new plan.
Dave Checketts, Owner, ReAL Salt Lake: "They know what I'm willing to do. They know I already own the land. I've already paid an architect a significant amount of money to design really a world class stadium for Salt Lake. Now we've got to find a way to do it."
Corroon says he's open to new ideas, especially if the state or Sandy can help out.
Peter Corroon, (D) Salt Lake County Mayor: "I hope I'm not known as the man who killed soccer. If it makes sense for the citizens, I'm willing to support some public financing, but right now it's just too much and we don't have the money to do it."
An official from Sandy today says the city and ReAL are working to come up with a new proposal, but the clock is ticking; the team's lease at Rice-Eccles runs out in two years.
