RSL Stadium May Not Be Complete In Time For First Game

New RSL Stadium Unlikely To Be Completed By First Game In October

MLS Real Salt Lake's (RSL) new $110M soccer stadium in Sandy, Utah, is scheduled to host its first match on October 9, but city officials and project management said that the facility "won't be completely finished in time," according to Rebecca Palmer of the DESERET NEWS. Sandy firefighters may have to be hired to "stand at various places throughout the stadium during the first and second games." Stadium Project Manager Mike Steele said that the firefighters will "watch for fires and help people leave in the event of an emergency because fire notification and suppression systems may not be complete." If the team makes the playoffs, firefighters could be "hired to stand guard through the end of the season." Officials also said that parts of the stadium's south end "may be unfinished by October." Fans "may have to do without rest rooms and concessions in the temporary stage area." Staff offices, a merchandise store, some suites and the speaker system are "also unlikely to be finished in time." The team is required to host its October 9 game against the Red Bulls "due to a contract with ESPN." Two local teams are working closely with RSL to "ensure a certificate of occupancy can be issued in time." Finishing touches on public safety and parking plans "are under way." Meanwhile, public financing for the stadium is "all but complete" and the Sandy City Council has "signed off on the remaining $10[M] in the $45[M] public funding package." Sandy Dir of Economic Development Dir Randy Sant said that the public financing agreement has "many safeguards for taxpayers." Sant: "It's a better agreement than any other public stadium we've seen" (DESERET NEWS, 6/12).