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SALT LAKE CITY — City officials and representatives from Real Salt Lake celebrated the grand opening of the Salt Lake City Regional Athletic Complex Friday.
The complex, at 1900 West and 2200 North, was completed after overcoming more than 10 years of legal barriers and two years of construction since it finally broke ground in 2013.
A $15.3 million bond for the project was approved by voters in 2003 and bolstered by a $7.5 million gift from Dell Loy Hansen, owner of local Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake.
"It's taken a monumental effort and ongoing commitment from me, the city and from Real Salt Lake — particularly Dell Loy Hansen — to realize the dream of opening this first-class sports complex," Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker said the afternoon before the ribbon cutting. "It will serve Salt Lake City and the region's demand for better soccer facilities for decades to come."
The 16-field complex will accommodate soccer, rugby, lacrosse and youth football competitions. It features a flexible stadium field and room to host multiple, simultaneous events and tournaments.
It's been one of those labors of love for me and for so many people who had the initial dream and have worked so hard on this. It's exciting to see it come to fruition, and it's going to be even more exciting to see kids and others playing on those fields, enjoying — outside Rio Tinto Stadium — the best soccer fields and complex in the state.
–Mayor Ralph Becker
Becker said the facility creates great new playing space for local athletic teams as well as a venue capable of hosting competitions and tournaments for Salt Lake City high schools, youth and adult club teams and regional events.
"It's been one of those labors of love for me and for so many people who had the initial dream and have worked so hard on this," the mayor said. "It's exciting to see it come to fruition, and it's going to be even more exciting to see kids and others playing on those fields, enjoying — outside Rio Tinto Stadium — the best soccer fields and complex in the state."
This weekend, the Utah Youth Soccer Association is hosting a regional tournament at the Regional Athletic Complex with teams from Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico competing for a spot in the Far West regionals next summer.
