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 Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information.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.
Richard Piatt Reporting When it comes to a new soccer stadium for ReAL Salt Lake, there is chaos amid the uncertainty. Multiple proposals are popping up, but none of them are specific, and so far the team isn't saying anything about them.
ReAL Salt Lake is on the road this week, gearing up for a Tuesday night game aginast the Houston Dynamo. But last week's 'no' vote for a stand alone soccer stadium in Sandy is still creating shockwaves at home.
Amid threats the team might leave Utah, a group described only as Salt Lake business leaders and soccer lovers plans to come forward with a stadium proposal separate from Mayor Anderson's Fair Park proposal. Details are not yet being released.
There is also an offer to allow a stadium on the former Geneva Steel property in Utah County. We learned late Monday afternoon that the owners of the Geneva Steel land offered to buy the team in order to keep it in Utah.
And a few county council members are still working on the Sandy stadium.
County council chair Cort Ashton is willing to re-work the intricate financial details.
Cortland Ashton: "Well, it's probably on life support, but I haven't pulled the plug yet."
ut at this point, there is pessimism--or skepticism--about salvaging the Sandy deal. Joe Hatch is among the most vocal.
Joe Hatch, Salt Lake County Council: "I do think it's time to let it go and move on."
But the idea of using public money--tax dollars, bonds, or other devices--to build a stadium could face similar opposition in these other locations.
Council member Jenny Wilson still wonders about the team's viability.
Jenny Wilson, Salt Lake County Council: "In my mind, a couple more years at Rice Eccles would answer my questions and might move the public to support this, when they aren't at this point."
There is still a lot about the stadium deal that is uncertain, and there's only one thing that is certain: Rice Eccles stadium will remain ReAL Salt Lake's home field unless the team decides to leave town.
ReAL Salt Lake officials declined to comment for this story, since they say they have not heard formal proposals from anyone since the Sandy deal fell apart last week.
