Salt Lake City leaders work on soccer, sports complex

A long-awaited sports complex appears one step closer to becoming a reality.

Salt Lake City leaders are working toward acquiring nearly $3 million in property in the northwest portion of the city, clearing space for a $39 million complex.

On Tuesday, public-services director Rick Graham asked the City Council to set aside money for a 160-acre land swap with the state and roughly $2.5 million in private property between Redwood Road and I-215 near the Davis County/Salt Lake County line.

The land would be the future home of the soccer, baseball and softball complex for which voters approved $15.3 million in funding nearly six years ago.

While progress has seemed slow at times, Council Chairman Carlton Christensen said now is a prime time to move forward with the complex.

"I can't think of a better time to start," Christensen said, noting lower construction costs around the state. "Maybe we get more for what we have. Maybe we get a better facility."

Real Salt Lake has pledged $7.5 million to the project, but that offer expires next year. Between the 2003 bond money and the soccer team's pledge, officials say the first phase of the project is fully funded.

The $22.8 million initial phase includes 1,300 parking spaces, two restroom and concession stations, a dozen natural-turf soccer fields, two baseball fields, irrigation and landscaping, a maintenance facility and a nature corridor and trail development along the Jordan River.

The second phase — to cost an additional $16.2 million — would add six soccer fields, including a "championship stadium" for larger events, two baseball fields, four softball fields and more parking.

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