Real Salt Lake's rollercoaster ride toward a soccer-specific stadium is coming to a successful end, as the Utah House of Representatives voted Thursday to approve $35 million toward the project.
The measure passed the House by a 48-24 margin two days after the Senate approved it with a 20-8 vote. With Gov. Jon Huntsman serving as one of the primary backers of the bill, his signature is seen as a formality.
The governor, along with RSL owner David W. Checketts and legislative leaders, announced the bill's passage Thursday evening at the State Capitol.
Checketts invoked American Revolution pamphleteer Thomas Paine in his remarks at the press conference.
"This really is a dream," Checketts said. "Thomas Paine, the great early American writer, said 'That which we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly.' Well, this has come at great, great cost, but what a blessed event it is for our family, for my partners and for everyone associated with our organization."
The bill provides $20 million from the state's Transient Room Tax to build a parking structure in the South Towne Expo Center. That funding was originally set aside in 2005. An additional $15 million will be given for the purchase of land and public infrastructure.
"All of us at Major League Soccer would like to sincerely thank Governor Huntsman and the Utah state legislature for their support of soccer in the Salt Lake City area," said MLS commissioner Don Garber. "The new stadium will be a world-class venue that will host countless memorable soccer moments, provide a key meeting place for the community, and shed an international spotlight on the region."
The stadium deal's closure comes after myriad setbacks that nearly killed it completely. Two weeks ago, it seemed as if Salt Lake County's Debt Review Committee had delivered the dagger to the heart, recommending by a 4-0 vote for County Mayor Peter Corroon to deny RSL the stadium funding they needed. Corroon followed the committee's recommendation, saying the project didn't make financial sense.
Last August, a week of meetings amongst Checketts, Huntsman, Corroon, state house speaker Greg Curtis, Salt Lake City mayor Rocky Anderson and Sandy city mayor Tom Dolan saved the stadium plan after Checketts had said he would sell the club to an out-of-state investor if a funding plan was not in place by the time Real Madrid played RSL on Aug. 12.
After the principles reached an 11th-hour agreement, the club broke ground the day of the Madrid-RSL match, with Madrid players like David Beckham helping turn over the first shovels-full of dirt.
Checketts admitted he nearly gave up hope following Corroon's decision last week.
"In all honesty, last Monday morning when I hung up the phone I truly thought soccer was dead and the project was dead," he said. "It was clear at that time that it was time to move on."
Rumors were rampant about an impending sale of the team. Anderson Development offered to either buy the team or help it build a stadium in Utah County, a deal Checketts declined.
This week, Checketts said, he was close to selling the team to a group that would have moved it to St. Louis. Checketts also owns the St. Louis Blues hockey team.
"We received a very attractive offer from Jeff Cooper and his group in St. Louis," Checketts said. "It was a viable offer and a viable city, and we have a significant business interest there.
"Today I stand here with great gentlemen, great leaders, unified in one common goal, and that is to make Real Salt Lake something this community owns and is truly proud of."
Checketts has previously said he wants to open RSL's new stadium on July 4, 2008 with a game against Real Madrid. The team will play at Rice-Eccles Stadium for the 2007 season.
Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
