"Maximizing the Project"
None by KCPW
RSL Wants Proof that Youth Soccer Complex is Viable
(KCPW News) ReAL Salt Lake CEO Dean Howes challenges the claim from critics that his team is "getting greedy" with its demands for a proposed Regional Sports Complex. RSL has asked to collect revenues from naming rights, commissions and parking fees in exchange for the team's $7.5 million contribution to the complex. Howes says critics are reading too far into that:"We are certainly willing to be flexible in almost every way," says Howes. "But we still have to sit down and say 'What can we do that's the right thing to do to maximize the project?'"
Howes says the team's request to sell the complex's naming rights is reasonable, given RSL's plans to practice on the fields and build a youth soccer academy at the site. As for concessions and parking revenues, Howes says the team is offering to handle those services for the city, in the same way Utah Food Services handles concessions for the Salt Palace Convention Center. The real concern for RSL, says Howes, is the fact that construction costs have skyrocketed and the city now plans to build fewer fields with fewer amenities:
"When we first asked to be invited to the table, this was a $22.8 million project," says Howes. "And now for it to be done the way it was drawn up, it will cost over $40 million. And I think that gap is putting pressure on all sides."
The Regional Athletic Complex will be funded by a $15 million voter-approved bond and the $7.5 million from RSL. Volunteer boosters of the complex say they can raise the extra money once the first phase is complete. But before RSL will guarantee its contribution, wants a detailed business plan to demonstrate the "on-going viability of the complex."
Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW
1. dave spatafore said:
What RSL can do to maximize the project is to follow through with their commitment to Utah's youth and contribute the $7.5 million to the project. The longer their delaying tactics, the more expensive the project - after all construction costs are continuing to rise.
RSL's "flexibility" is to continually ask for more return on their "investment". Their participation has changed from a "gift" over a year ago to now asking for revenue from naming rights, concessions and parking as well as being guaranteed field usage. These things were not on the table when in a Saturday morning meeting, Dave Checketts claimed he wanted to make a "gift" to the project.
During negotiations on Capitol Hill this past session, RSL never once told legislators publicly they intended to "negotiate" a return on this investment - they offered they were still committed to "kick in" the $7.5 million. That is why a number of legislators voted for HB 38. Many on the Hill believed the return from this investment was the $35 million in state tax revenue for their stadium - obviously now RSL needs more of an investment.
At the end of the day, it would be a complete travesty if professional athletes - none of whom are Utahns - would end up with a partially funded public stadium, while Utah's youth end up with nothing!
2. Brett said:
Wait wait wait...so let me get this straight. Dave Spatafore not only runs his mouth in the papers, spreading falsehoods about Real Salt Lake, but he takes the time to follow up his comments on a message board?
This dude needs to get a job.
I don't know about the rest of you, but if I was putting up $7.5 of my own money, I would be a bit interested in what the project entails as well.
I wasn't an advocate of RSL's stadium project...I thought they could have handled the situation much better. But enough is enough; these new gripes are not relevant. I am sure RSL plans on pitching in what they pledged, and there is nothing wrong with them feeling comfortable about the project before they do so.
Spatafore and the rest of you: get a job, a hobby, SOMETHING!! Your continued complaints are nothing but a waste of time and worn out rhetoric.
BrettSalt Lake City