From Deseret News archives:
A fairpark stadium finds favor on Hill
But idea of using tax dollars for soccer facility not popular
But on the larger issue of whether the state should kick in tax dollars to help build the stadium, those same lawmakers are ice cold.
Richard Frenette, executive director of the state Fairpark, offered a soccer stadium briefing Wednesday to the rurally influenced Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment Interim Committee.
Rep. Brad Johnson, R-Aurora, told Frenette that there was a rumor going around that rural lawmakers didn't support the idea. In fact, Johnson said, rural lawmakers, himself included, are keen to it.
"I can see a lot of advantage for the fair to have the soccer stadium there," he said. "As I've talked to other rural legislators we think this is nothing but help."
The plan, Frenette said, is for the state to offer 10-12 acres of Fairpark land where the stadium could be built. The stadium would then be constructed and operated by Real Salt Lake, which has said it will use the stadium as a year-round venue attracting events beyond just soccer.
A similarly structured deal with the Columbus Crew helped rescue Ohio's struggling Fairpark, which Frenette formally headed.
Most, if not all, the committee members liked the idea, especially if it would help generate more revenue for the Fairpark, which some have described as a "financial drain."
But when asked if they would support putting state tax dollars into the stadium, none said yes.
"I personally think an event center of that magnitude can be self-sustaining" and "taxpayers wouldn't have to pay for it," committee chairman Roger Barrus, R-Centerville, said.
The lawmakers said they don't buy the notion that the stadium will generate new economic revenue and maintain the state has higher funding priorities than a stadium.
Real Salt Lake has consistently said it will contribute $30 million toward a roughly $60 million stadium and wants public tax dollars to make up the difference.
Comments
- BYU-I devotional: Elder Clayton 1:38 p.m.
- Juan Diego pulls away from Wasatch 1:34 p.m.
- Iran began nuke plant 7 years ago 1:16 p.m.
- Fort Hood suspect charged 1:16 p.m.
- Obama orders Fort Hood intel review 1:06 p.m.
- Federal deficit sets October record 1:04 p.m.
- 5A: Davis, Hunter by the numbers 12:58 p.m.
- Cougars land Vegas standout 12:52 p.m.
- Salt Laker places 5th in skeleton 12:49 p.m.
- Traffic stop leads to teen sex arrest 12:48 p.m.
- House passes health care bill
299 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
288 - TCU showdown has big implications
195 - Senators want food tax restored
158 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - Will state consider gay rights law?
117 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
112 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
110
One of my guilty pleasures is perusing the covers of celebrity magazines...
The galactic center shines like firelight through gaps in …
For the last time! Limbaugh isn't broadcast on KSL. When are you guys even...
'I'm more of a freedom guy so...' V, that is all well and good. However,...
Is Deseret News going to report that Jeffery R Holland also issued a...
it is time for another revenue stream---change tort law so that all punitive...
That would be All-or-Nothing thinking. Conservatives are good at that. ...
seems to be me the only compassion being shown by the main steam media nut...
I agree with the last three comments posted to page one of this thread,...
Take the Utes to cover the spread on this one. I'm not going to guarantee a...
I don't think the long trip will be a big deal for San Juan. They did it...
Thomas Sowell is always on target. Agree with most of what he said. In the...


You can be the first to comment on this story.