Real Salt Lake: A home of their own
Politics helped shape RSL's stadium — both good and bad; the organization is thrilled to finally be moving in
At the end of the day though, arrangements were made and the stadium was built, but at what cost?
The process that led Salt Lake County to kick in $35 million in hotel tax money to help fund the stadium didn't go smoothly at all. At one point, when funding was initially nixed by Salt Lake County major Peter Corroon, Real Salt Lake owner Dave Checketts threatened to move the team to St. Louis.
Over a year later, and with the stadium scheduled for its grandest of openings this Thursday, Checketts realizes all isn't forgotten. He knows there's negative sentiment from citizens around the state about the stadium, and that it won't just simply dissipate.
In an interview with the Deseret News at the start of the 2008 MLS season, he said changing perceptions about his team and stadium would take time and effort. He reiterated, however, that building a quality multipurpose stadium, one the entire community can be proud of and visit even if they never attend a soccer match is the best remedy.
Construction of Real Salt Lake's stadium eventually went ahead as scheduled, and it's now set for its much-anticipated opening in front of a nationally televised audience. The team opens its gates for the first time this Thursday when RSL takes on the New York Red Bulls, a game that will be televised on ESPN2 at 8 p.m.
A packed house is expected in the stadium league officials are dubbing the best in Major League Soccer.
RSL defender Chris Wingert agrees with that assertion on many, many levels. First and foremost, for his own personal reasons, it's all about the field.
"As a player there's nothing better than going onto a beautiful pitch of grass. Besides the field, I love the fact it's going to be our home," said Wingert. "Utah's been great supporters of Real Salt Lake since its conception, before I was ever here. Hopefully we can reward them a little bit and get into the playoffs and make a good run here."
During the early stages of stadium site scouting and negotiations, there was talk of building the stadium downtown, something Checketts even admitted was his first choice. It instead was built 15 minutes south in Sandy, but Wingert says he doesn't see that as a drawback at all.
Recent comments
RE: Bobcat
If you are sooo worried about you hotel taxes in St…Juice Box Guy | Oct. 7, 2008 at 11:11 p.m.
I'll be there with my family and I'm ready to cheer RSL into the…
STEVE-O | Oct. 7, 2008 at 3:07 p.m.
The only thing I am looking forward to more than this stadium, is…
bobcat | Oct. 7, 2008 at 1:57 p.m.
