Real Salt Lake's USL side could be getting its own stadium soon.
RSL owner Dell Loy Hansen and Utah State Fairpark Chairman of the Board Roger Beattie announced on Monday that they have signed a term sheet for the construction of an $18 million, 8,000-seat stadium at Utah State Fairpark to be the home of Real Monarchs SLC, who debut in USL PRO in 2015. The Monarchs will play their inaugural season home games at RSL's Rio Tinto Stadium.
Monday's deal for a Monarchs stadium hinges on state officials granting a 40-year extension on the Utah State Fairgrounds lease, currently held by the Utah State Fairpark Corporation and set to expire in 2017.
According to a club release, "in an effort to expedite the stadium's development, Mr. Hansen has agreed to pay the entire cost of construction." The Monarchs would operate and maintain the new stadium.
In addition to Real Monarchs SLC matches, the stadium is also expected to host "many other events and teams, including a concert series, a professional women's soccer franchise, a men's lacrosse and rugby franchises, community adult soccer games, and other activities," according to the release.
"We are anxious to get going on construction of the stadium," Monarchs president Rob Zarkos said in the statement. "The stadium will be the envy of every other USL franchise and an incredible addition to the Fairpark."
