SALT LAKE CITY - The following statement from Real Salt Lake Owner David W. Checketts responds to today's disclosure by Utah Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. that that the petition challenging the Legislature's decision to fund stadium land and infrastructure was insufficient. Only three boxes of petitions were turned in, meaning that the referendum fell short by 79,653 signatures:
Statement from RSL Owner David W. Checketts:
"This is just another hurdle that we have been able to clear despite all of the misinformation that has been provided to the public. Now that this political process has come to a conclusion, we hope we can all put the past behind us and focus on a common goal of making this project a world-class venue that will reflect well on our entire state.
Our shovels are in the dirt, and we are full speed ahead."
Of the 91,966 signatures needed, only 12,343 were certified. In addition, only one county submitted enough petitions - Daggett County. Daggett, the least populated county in the state, was the only county that hit that threshold. From Salt Lake County, 10,848 signatures were certified.
A grass-roots group, formed shortly after the 2007 Legislative Session ended, opposed the deal. The group had a little more than 30 days to collect the nearly 92,000 signatures of 10 percent of voters who participated in the last gubernatorial election from at least 15 of Utah's 29 counties.
The Legislature approved the funding package in February, which forces Salt Lake County's cut of hotel-tax dollars to be used at the stadium site in Sandy. RSL began construction on April 9 for a $110 million soccer stadium in Sandy. Sandy has committed an additional $10 million in redevelopment agency funds. RSL expects to finish the stadium in Fall 2008.
