Stadium Sites Narrowed

[DadOf8]

I noticed a lot of RSL fans when I was down in Utah County this weekend. I can't really say there are more fans there than SL County, but maybe a higher concentration. If that's the case, then I think Sandy is a good location that will accommodate the UC fans. Being that I live in SL County and not the UC I'd be happier with it downtown. But there are also sentimental reasons for me as well. I was born in SLC and the team is called Real Salt Lake not Real Utah. I think it makes sense for the team to play in the city they're named after. Well, there are exceptions to this such as FC Dallas plays in Frisco, TX. The LA Galaxy play in Carson. I also think the downtown location would help revitalize downtown SLC. Can you imagine having a WCQ match at a downtown soccer specific stadium? That would be great for SLC business. I also think it would add to the SLC skyline and be a landmark that stands out. One suggestion for the stadium, no matter where it's built, please put some kind of shading over the seating area. I've noticed some of the stadiums in Europe have shading to cover the fans. One of my problems with Rice-Eccles, sitting on the East side, is that the sun in in my eyes and it's hard to enjoy the game.

[edaw33]

Originally Posted by montgjules

Nobody has mentioned the most important thing from that article: the Fairpark is officially no longer in the running. Thank heavens.

i read an article (i think it's this one) that said 30% of the public favored the fair grounds. I seriously wonder who the heck they polled. There is NO WAY it was the rsl fans themselves.


on a personal note i hate the idea of sandy too. i drive from righam city for every game and as we drive down we honk at all the other people going. there are a lot of cars full of fans from up north. i know of many buddies who say they won't attend as many games if it was in sandy. i am a huge fan but i have to say the same man. it's just too far for all of us up north. downtown is perfect as far as a CENTRAL location.

[the cup]

Originally Posted by edaw33

i know of many buddies who say they won't attend as many games if it was in sandy. i am a huge fan but i have to say the same man. it's just too far for all of us up north.

blaspheme verb To speak of a sacred entity in an irreverent manner

Dude, c'mon, I drive to the games from Plain City and once you drive to Salt Lake, what's another 10 to 15 minutes?

But if they do put it in Sandy just think, starting in 2008 you will be able to park your car if you want in Pleasant View, hop on the train, ride it to Salt Lake and then hop on TRAX to the stadium.

Anything for the lads.

[MomOf8]

I think it's neat that they are going to build a stadium! I have the perfect location for them too, our neighborhood. I'd be willing to sell our land, that way DadOf8 and I wouldn't have to put up with the beer swiggin' hillbillies on the north side of us, the nosey old fart on the south side, and the headbangin' dorks on the east side.

But, if our choice neighborhood isn't picked, then I guess anywhere else is fine with me.

[the cup]

From the article, this has to be the biggest change of plans,

"While the team had hoped to have announced a site by now, Checketts said Wednesday it could take him another month to decide. And he backed away from the team's initial plan to seek taxpayer money to pay half the $60 million to $65 million construction tab, though the team will continue to seek public help in buying the land.
"It's premature to say it won't require some public assistance," Checketts said in an interview from New York. "I don't want to go to an election [to bond for the stadium]. I don't want anyone to think I'm reaching into the public pockets. That's not my intention. I never have formally asked for public taxpayer dollars. I don't plan on it."
Checketts cited the Delta Center as a model, in which Salt Lake City paid $24 million for the land and surrounding improvements and Larry Miller built the $74 million basketball arena for the Utah Jazz.


Whoa. Hasn't Checketts always said he was putting up 30 million and was asking for the public to put up the rest?

This should make it easier though to get the stadium Downtown if all they have to do is come up with money for land instead of another 35 million to pay for half of the stadium.

[bordelais7]

Originally Posted by edaw33

i read an article (i think it's this one) that said 30% of the public favored the fair grounds. I seriously wonder who the heck they polled. There is NO WAY it was the rsl fans themselves.


on a personal note i hate the idea of sandy too. i drive from righam city for every game and as we drive down we honk at all the other people going. there are a lot of cars full of fans from up north. i know of many buddies who say they won't attend as many games if it was in sandy. i am a huge fan but i have to say the same man. it's just too far for all of us up north. downtown is perfect as far as a CENTRAL location.

Hate to sound like a broken record, but I've mapped out before how the time it takes to get from Davis Co. (or Brigham City) to the proposed Sandy location is SHORTER than the time it currently takes to get to RES, or at the very worst about the same. Not sure which roads you're taking, but...

Seriously, the way people talk it's as if Sandy were on a different planet...

[RSL Punk]

The spots include blocks west of The Gateway; land near the proposed Living Planet Aquarium at 336 S. 500 West; the block at 600 South and Main Street owned by Earl Holding; and the block at 400 West and 500 South, which is owned by the Newspaper Agency Corp., the company responsible for printing, advertising and distributing The Salt Lake Tribune and Deseret Morning News.

Wow. I'm good. [Crosses fingers & toes]:whistling

[prk166]

Originally Posted by bordelais7

Hate to sound like a broken record, but I've mapped out before how the time it takes to get from Davis Co. (or Brigham City) to the proposed Sandy location is SHORTER than the time it currently takes to get to RES, or at the very worst about the same. Not sure which roads you're taking, but...

That could be with RES over on the bench. But you haven't done the Sandy with stadium traffic. With the stadium there, there'll be a rush of people coming in a specific time. I'd assume that things would get backed up there for a game. And something downtown instead of the RES probably won't save much of any time compared to RES. The big point being how people percieve the location. I'd guess that the northern folks perceive downtown as being more convinient even if it's a wash in the end. The nice thing about Sandy along those lines is that the southern folks, like American Fork, Provo and such are likely going to perceive Sandy as being closer and more convinient. There's another 400k-500k to tap into down there.

[montgjules]

There will be traffic anywhere the stadium is built. That's not unique to Sandy.

[clarette]

Originally Posted by bordelais7

Seriously, the way people talk it's as if Sandy were on a different planet...

Sandy IS a different planet.

Love,
Person Who Would Love to Move Closer to Civilization But Is Too Broke and Lazy To Move Out Of Her Parents' House