Sandy hopes RSL stadium will spur development

Sandy (Salt Lake Tribune) » In just one year, Real Salt Lake's stadium has staged 19 big-league soccer matches, a nationally televised all-star game, an internationally viewed World Cup qualifier, mega-concerts by Kenny Chesney and the Eagles, even a revved-up monster-truck rally.

So, what's next for three Sandy kids who have watched it all, parking patrons' cars at a family compound a block away?

They're going to Disneyland.

Joseph Baker and his wife are taking three grandchildren -- ages 6, 10 and 13 -- to the Southern California amusement park next month. The more than $800 in cash the kids have collected charging cars $5 to pull onto driveways and lawns at three neighboring family homes will pay for their four-day passes.

"It's exciting to be that close" to the stadium, says Baker, a Sandy planning commissioner who enjoys talking to passers-by and catching a few games himself.

Tonight, Rio Tinto Stadium celebrates its first birthday. (Yes, there will be cake). In a repeat of the stadium's opening match a year ago, RSL clashes with the New York Red Bulls.

Opening the 20,000-seat, $110 million stadium has been a "game changer" for Sandy and the team, says RSL President Bill Manning.

"There's a sense of permanence," he says. "It gives us great hope ... that we really have something to build off of now."

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