Reader comments
Real Salt Lake finally getting its $35 million

Phil | 7:05 a.m. Aug. 15, 2007

So according to the article, Greg Curtis Stadium now has even more money from Sandy? I kept hearing that all of this was going to come from Hotel taxes and that I (as a Sandy and Salt Lake County resident) wasn't paying for any of this, according to the article:

"A stabilization fund will be set up, where surplus hotel room tax dollars will be placed to be used for any funding shortfalls. Sandy will use a debt service reserve worth $80,000 from their Redevelopment Agency funds. Sandy City has also agreed to chip in funds."

I want to know exactly how much we are going to be "chipping in" for a team with declining attendance, poor play, and unstable personnel. I can't believe that we are being duped so willingly.

By the way, for those keeping track at home, this was rammed down our throats by Greg Curtis (who happens to be the Speaker of the Utah House of Reps) who won for re-election by less than 20 votes when he was running against a guy with no experience and who just didn't seem very bright. Imagine if we could have voted for somebody better.

I can't believe that we are having to foot the bill for a stadium that people will seldom visist.

Mike | 9:13 a.m. Aug. 15, 2007

Legislative Leadership and the Gov are saying:

"You said you didn't want this. You repeatedly told us this didn't make sense. Salt Lake County looked at the numbers with a very thorough vetting process and they just didn't work. Unrealistic projections. Flawed spreadsheets. Mayor Carroon became a powerful political celebrity for his oposition to this. You said it wasn't the place for state government to step around the county to force something the people don't want. But you know what, we did it anyway. We didn't dig into the numbers like Salt Lake County, because we all just have this sort of good feeling about soccer in Utah. The Gov's wife felt it was crucial. And you can't stop us. It's done. By the time it goes south, we'll all be retired. But for now we'll crow on and on about what a huge victory we won for our state. Albeit a victory you repeatedly tried to tell us, and would still tell us, you didn't want."

Sandy Res | 10:02 a.m. Aug. 15, 2007

Way to go Steve-O! If the league were as viable as everyone says, why would REAL object to being on the hook if the league folds? And what about all the concerts, etc that will be held there? The inclusion of this provision (with the acquiesence of the Guv) validates the critics of this project. In reality, it is a very large no-confidence vote by REAL that they would insist on such a provision. Expect a very loud "We told you so" should the worst case happen and leave Sandy holding the bag.

Comments continue below

Danny Boy | 10:28 a.m. Aug. 15, 2007

I just love all of the pessimists that live here in Utah. The MLS is NOT going to fold, no worries. On the contrary, it is only getting larger, and more popular. Our new stadium in Sandy will be selling out its games in 2009. This is a soccer community, and soon to be a soccer nation. Utah is lucky to be a part of such an exciting time. Sandy just landed a GREAT investment.

Tayzan | 10:42 a.m. Aug. 15, 2007

I am going to agree with Danny Boy on this one. True it is a lot of money, but I think in 10 years Sandy City is going to look back and say,, "man we really got a gift." Go REAL!!!

Travis | 11:41 a.m. Aug. 15, 2007

Sandy scored on this deal. Soccer is more popular now than ever and is continuing to grow. It's going to be Sandy telling Salt Lake County "I told you so." As an out of stater who visits Salt Lake frequently I'm the one paying for it and proud to do so. Way to go Sandy and Go ReAL!

D Hashimoto | 11:57 a.m. Aug. 15, 2007

I am incredibly happy this has finally went through. This stadium needs to be built, so we can all get on with our lives.

Phattie | 12:00 p.m. Aug. 15, 2007

Real still draws larger crowds at their home games than a number of other MLS teams in larger markets and we have the worst record in the league. Real will get better as a team and when they do attendance will increase. I am a season ticket holder and I'm glad that Real will have a home of it's own. As a tax payer I was reluctant at the way it was being funded but if you look at other stadium projects throughout the country you would see that the citizens of Salt Lake County and Sandy got a pretty good deal. How many of us remember years ago when voters rejected funding Trax? I'm grateful that UTA had the foresight to reject public opinion and move forward with Trax anyway. I'm not trying to say that this stadium will have that type of impact on the community, but it shows that the public opinion shouldn't always dictate policy, that's why we elect people to represent us. If you've never been to a Real game you should try it out. Don't knock it 'till you try it!

Dave from sandy | 1:06 p.m. Aug. 15, 2007

If Phil, Mike and Sandy-O where in charge I15 would still have 2 lanes, I 215 would not have been built, and Trax would never went in. If memory serves me, the same people that examined the viability of Trax (Salt Lake County) said it would never work, Hum? With such a limited view into the future, I so glad that we finally have a Governor and Local leaders that will stand up and do something that will promote our City and State. Maybe MLS wont make it, Maybe our Citizens wont keep supporting it, but we will never know if we donï¿½t take bold steps now. I applaud The Leaders that finally got this done as they are Leaders, and not what ifs.

Stenar | 1:20 p.m. Aug. 15, 2007

I have a huge problem with the headline to this article. RSL finally getting ITS money?? No, RSL is getting OUR money. This headline emphasizes the whole problem with RSL who acted as though they were entitled to our taxpayer subsidy of their stadium.

Chris | 1:49 p.m. Aug. 15, 2007

It is about time. I can only laugh at you short-sighted folk complaining about this. The people who know the least about what really happened are the ones complaining the loudest, because that is what the press and Larry Miller want from them. Continue bleating, you sheep. Go watch nascar.

Efren Palacios | 2:50 p.m. Aug. 15, 2007

Phil and Mike:

From a galaxy far, far away, your brothers in Texas feel bad about your short vision and blind subjectivity.

You have no idea as to what impact RSL stadium in Sandy is going to have for your beautiful state.

Years down the road, you'll look back and say what the great Destuches (Le Glorieux) wrote: "La critique est aisee, et l'art est difficile..."

We have visited Salt Lake many times and continue to envy your city, its people and the Mormon ethics and values.

Rest assured that when your stadium is finished you'll find some fans from Texas applauding your great achievement.

Efren Palacios
South Texas Republic

SomeGuy | 3:35 p.m. Aug. 15, 2007

Halleluja! Let's get this behind us and start cheering our team! GO RSL! I can't WAIT until this stadium opens, this is a fantastic development for the Wasatch Front! All you haters are lame.

Phil | 4:19 p.m. Aug. 15, 2007

What is interesting about these comments is that you are all soccer fans. Keep in mind, I have no problem with the team. What I have a problem with is the fact that the government is footing the bill for an even larger portion than was initially disclosed. I would have been fine with 35 million, but now it seems like Sandy is paying even more.

I want soccer to work, I just think that 35 million should have been more than enough money for our government to have spent. Keep in mind that Rice Eccles stadium was built for 45 million.

Anonymous | 4:49 p.m. Aug. 15, 2007

Phil:

I'll take back my previous message. I can see now you aren't against soccer per se.

Believe me, it's going to work, and your Sandy stadium will become the envy of many not only in the U.S. but around the world.

And the 35 million will look like the greatest bargain the people in your county ever got.

Even tough we live in the great state of Texas, we are willing to "pitch" some hundreds to alleviate your tax burden.

Efren Palacios
South Texas Republic.

Dave from Sandy | 5:24 p.m. Aug. 15, 2007

I am not a soccer fan nor have even seen a highlight, I am a fan of leadership Its not about the money whether it is 35 dollars or 35 million. Right, wrong, or indifferent, move on stop the winning, our public officials made a commitment over two years ago, and backed out, it is about time that elected officials followed threw on there promises and had foresight. And last I checked Rice Eccles Stadium cost 45 million to expand not construct.

Phil | 7:08 p.m. Aug. 15, 2007

Dave:

Go to Rice Eccles Stadium, look at what was there, what was built, and tell me that it was an "expansion." If you call demolishing an entire stadium (with the exception of a small endzone section) re-excavating the entire grounds, building a foundation, stands, tower, lights, and all of the trimmings, then I think I question your judgment.

Even if it were truly an expansion as you say, look at what they had to do, and look at what RSL is doing and tell me that this 35 mil couldn't go a VERY long way.

tyler | 9:01 p.m. Aug. 15, 2007

phil
buddy get over it. you would not have been fine with the 35 mil, it seems incredibly easy for you to say something like that at this point. face the fact that the stadium will be built, and that you wont be able to read these articles and leave negative comments anymore.

Big Red | 9:17 p.m. Aug. 15, 2007

The article mentioned expansion to San Jose as proof that the league is strong, growing, and in fact thriving. San Jose already had a team...they did so well that they moved to Houston. You certainly have to admire the league's tenacity. Perhaps the WNBA would like another crack at Salt Lake City?

Phil | 10:11 p.m. Aug. 15, 2007

Tyler:

When RSL packs up in 5 years I will be stuck with a stadium in my city. What is my city going to do with it? Most of you don't have to worry about that. FYI.

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