Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen has come to an agreement with the Utah State Fair Corporation to construct a new 8 thousand seat multi-use stadium.
The proposed stadium will cost about $18 million dollars and will be completely funded by Real Salt Lake owner Dell Loy Hansen. It will mainly be used as the home of the new Real Monarchs minor league soccer team whose purpose is to serve as a development squad for Real Salt Lake. Hansen says he see this project as an investment in the team, and doesn’t really expect to make much money.
“This is to make Real Salt Lake better, period. The Monarchs is a vehicle to give resources to Real Salt Lake and give better player training to Real Salt Lake.”
But the plan to build the stadium isn’t quite final yet. The agreement with the Utah State Fairpark Corporation is dependent upon the renewal of the lease of the Fairgrounds, which expires in 2017. That decision is up to the Utah Legislature, but Hansen says he and his staff haven’t spoken to any legislators, and they don’t plan to.
“If these legislators, in their wisdom, believe that the State Fairpark has a future, and it fits into their agenda, then we want to be part of it. However, we are under no mind that we want to pressure anyone to do that. We see it as a gift and I don’t think that you should pressure gifts on people.”
If the stadium is constructed, Hansen envisions also bringing a women’s professional soccer team to the city, and creating an adult soccer league targeting the Hispanic market.
