In Toronto, Kurtis Laron writes the latest BMO Field renovation rendering "looks pretty nice," despite many Toronto FC fans "being skeptical of the club's new digs." The image "shows roofing above three of the sections, with two extra decks built behind the east stand and the supporters’ end." Capacity "is supposed to peak at close to 30,000 for Toronto FC games" once the C$120M in renovations are complete (TORONTO SUN, 9/3).
IT'S GETTING REAL: The Utah State Fairpark yesterday announced that its chair and vice chair "will seek approval from the Fairpark’s board to begin negotiations with Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen for an 8,000-seat stadium to be the home of RSL's minor league team." In Salt Lake City, Christopher Kamrani noted Hansen has proposed to pay $13-18M to construct a soccer stadium for his team's future USL Pro affiliate "at the Fairpark, located a few blocks west of downtown Salt Lake City." Fairpark Exec Dir Michael Steele said that Hansen "is eyeing a 40-year lease for the facility" (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 9/3).
DECISION DAY: In Las Vegas, Conor Shine reports the town's City Council today will vote on "whether to approve a nonbinding agreement" for a new downtown MLS soccer stadium with the development partnership of Findlay Sports & Entertainment and Cordish Cos. If they vote yes, "the project will stay alive for three more months while developers prepare a more detailed and comprehensive proposal." A final agreement "would need council approval in December." A no vote "means the project is likely dead." Under the plan, the public would pay for $155M of the $200M construction costs "through bonds, tax credits and cash on hand" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 9/3).
