Click here for complete article by Derek P. Jensen from The Salt Lake Tribune.

Soccer on Salt Lake City's west side just got a kick.

After six years, City Hall finally appears ready to strike with its long-promised regional sports complex along the banks of the Jordan River near Rose Park.

The City Council agreed Tuesday night to spend $500,000 for 160 acres of state land that, once improved, initially will blossom into 12 soccer fields, two baseball diamonds, rest rooms, concession stands and parking for 1,300 vehicles.

"Acquiring this land is a big domino in getting this project moving forward," said Public Services Director Rick Graham, who expects to ink the land transfer with the state Monday.

Construction could begin next year on the swath of land sandwiched between Interstate 215 and Redwood Road.

The $22.8 million Phase 1 price tag will be covered by a combination of the $15.3 million bond residents approved in 2003 and a $7.5 million pledge from Real Salt Lake. The city faced some urgency to net the deal since RSL's offer expires next year.

"I can't think of a better time to start this process," said Council Chairman Carlton Christensen, noting construction material costs are substantially down, "to get more with what we have."

The city has five years to pay the land bill. But Graham says a deal allowing the city to provide the state "in-kind" compensation -- essentially upgrades at the site that also benefit the state -- should slash the cost to $164,000.

In addition to the state property, Mayor Ralph Becker's team wants to buy several private parcels that abut the planned sports complex. Later this month, the mayor will ask the council to authorize $2.5 million from a surplus land fund for the extra property. If closed, those deals would allow space for Phase 2: Four softball fields, two more baseball diamonds, more parking, six more soccer fields and a potential championship soccer stadium to host regional tournaments.

The city has yet to identify a funding source for the additional $16.2 million needed for the follow-up phase.

During negotiations for RSL's Sandy soccer stadium, the sports complex was floated as a possible spot for a so-called soccer academy that could be a joint venture with Real Madrid. Plans, and a location for such an academy, now appear cloudy.