Sleepy Vineyard abuzz over a stadium

On the other, the small-town feel is what many Vineyarders love best, and an economic boom could chip away at their quiet way of life.

"It would definitely not be a small town anymore," said Tina Holdaway, whose house is surrounded by corn and alfalfa fields. "It would be good for the city, but it's sad to think it would be different. I always wanted to live in a small town, but I guess if we want that kind of lifestyle, we'll have to move somewhere even more desolate."

Besides, residents say Vineyard is growing no matter what, with the stadium or without.

"We're going to change anyway," said Arthur Pheysey, who has lived in the town 28 years. "Vineyard is the last pocket of undeveloped land in Utah Valley. I don't think it's going to be bad, but it's going to happen."

Team owner Dave Checketts visited the site last week, and Michael Hutchings, co-owner of Anderson Geneva, said he thinks it's an offer no one could refuse.

"They are pretty serious about the offer," he said. "We are very excited about the possibilities."

There are other possibilities for the team, and no definite decisions have been made about building a stadium in Vineyard.

The deadline for decisions is drawing near, however.

Checketts has said he will settle on his next move before Aug. 12, when he said he'll decide to either sell the team or find a suitable stadium.

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E-mail: alinford@desnews.com