Concert, games will keep stadium staff busy

Rio Tinto Stadium has slowly come into its own as a concert venue.

In May, the home of Real Salt Lake hosted its inaugural concert featuring the Eagles.

The show, according to RSL president Bill Manning, was the highest-grossing stop of the Eagles' current tour.

"It says something about Utah audiences," said Manning during an interview with the Deseret News. "And I'm proud of Utah for coming out to enjoy the show."

Since then, REO Speedwagon and Styx, and David Archuleta have performed at the stadium.

Next week, reigning Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year Kenny Chesney will kick off a major workweek for the Rio Tinto Stadium staff.

Chesney, who was awarded his fourth Entertainer of the Year award last November, will perform July 23.

Opening the show will be Sugarland, Lady Antebellum and Miranda Lambert.

The day after Chesney's concert, Real Salt Lake will host FC Dallas. Immediately following the game, the skies above the stadium will be lit with fireworks.

Five days later, the stadium will be the site of the 2009 MLS All-Stars game against the Everton FC.

The quick turnaround poses a logistical challenge for the Rio Tinto Stadium staff, said Manning.

"We will literally have crews working overnight," he said.

Crews will clear the grounds of seats and ground cover from the Chesney show and prep the grounds for the soccer game.

Manning said the abundant rain in June has helped the stadium grass, although the stadium has a cooling system and water facilities under the playing field to keep the grass fresh during concerts and other days and nights of nonuse.

"The rain was like liquid fertilizer," said Manning.

A total of 22,000 tickets went up for sale for the Chesney show a few months ago, said Manning.

"We're planning on at least 22,000 people attending the concert," he said. "And we are able to expand if necessary."

The initial success of the Eagles concert has shown Manning and his staff at Rio Tinto Stadium that the venue can handle concert and game traffic.

"Our goal was to start off slow," he said. "This is what we dreamed of when the stadium was being built. And we're still in our infancy. Next year we may see six to eight big events. And by big events I mean crowds of 20,000 or more."

If you go:

What: Kenny Chesney, Sugarland, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert

Where: Rio Tinto Stadium, 9256 S. State, Sandy

When: July 23, 5:30 p.m.

How much: $29.50-$195

Phone: 801-727-2700

Web: www.riotintostadium.com

e-mail: scott@desnews.com