Youth Soccer Complex Back on Track

None by KCPW

RSL Stadium Politics Caused 3-Year Delay

(KCPW News) Local sports enthusiasts made big plans for a playing field complex in Salt Lake long before major league soccer came to town. But the arrival of ReAL Salt Lake ended up delaying the youth sports complex by three and a half years:

"We were stuck in a rut because RSL was gonna help, they weren't gonna help. . . and we didn't really have another willing listener," says Dave Spatafore, co-chair of the Salt Lake Regional Athletic Complex Authority.

The nonprofit authority has spent the last few years trying to drum up seven-point-five million dollars in private investment to qualify for a 15-million dollar voter bond. Spatafore says all other potential donors stepped aside when ReAL came to Utah, figuring the major league team was a logical donor. Since then, he says the complex has been caught up in politics and power plays.

"You know when the legislation passed, then April 9th passed without the signatures (for a referendum) we have a site plan, we have a $22.8 million, and we're ready to go," says Spatafore.

RSL officials have now committed to the 7-point-five million dollar donation and Spatafore says the city is in the process of acquiring the land for the complex from the state. He says construction should begin next Spring. Current plans include 16 soccer fields, four baseball diamonds, a parking lot and a few small buildings for maintenance and restrooms.

The complex located near I-215 and 2200 North will be owned by Salt Lake City and maintained with funds raised by the Athletic Complex Authority through parking and usage fees.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW