Real stadium referendum fails

A voter referendum to overturn a public funding package for the Real Salt Lake soccer stadium failed by 79,653 signatures.

Of the 91,966 signatures needed, only 12,343 were certified. In addition, only one county — Daggett County — submitted enough petitions to meet one of the state requirements.

"Obviously, we're disappointed," said Gary Forbush, a member of the grass-roots group Get Real Utah. "It made me feel like the state was really asking the impossible."

Forbush believes his group's failed referendum drive signals the need for reform of the state process. He said that most states require fewer signatures and allow a longer time-frame to collect them.

Get Real Utah formed shortly after the Legislature in February approved a $35 million funding deal for land and infrastructure at the stadium site in Sandy. The group had a little more than 30 days to collect nearly 92,000 signatures of 10 percent of voters who participated in the last gubernatorial election from at least 15 of Utah's 29 counties.

Daggett, the least-populated county in the state, was the only county that hit that threshold. From Salt Lake County, 10,848 signatures were certified.

Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert said Monday that the petition signatures were insufficient.

Many Utahns were surprised to watch the Legislature step up to Real's aid days after Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon shot down a public-funding deal for a third time in nearly a year. Corroon had deemed the stadium a risky investment. But state leaders supported the bill, forcing Salt Lake County's cut of hotel-tax dollars to be used for land and infrastructure at the site in Sandy.

Real began construction on April 9 for a $110 million soccer stadium on the northwest corner of 9400 South and State Street. The team hopes to finish the stadium by August 2008.

Real owner Dave Checketts said in a statement Monday that the team was pleased that the petition process had concluded.

"This is just another hurdle that we have been able to clear, despite all of the misinformation that has been provided to the public," he said. "Now that this political process has come to a conclusion, we hope we can all put the past behind us and focus on a common goal of making this project a world-class venue that will reflect well on our entire state.

"Our shovels are in the dirt, and we are full speed ahead," he added.

Sandy has committed $10 million in redevelopment agency funds to the project. The city is moving ahead with an interlocal and development agreement with the team, both needed before the team can get any sort of public funding.