Austinites, I'm asking because I don't know: did they not play at House Park after Memorial Day? How extensive was the damage to the stadium?
If I am correct, the stadium itself wasn't damaged too bad. They had to rework the electricity, but that wouldn't have a major long term effect. The problem was the turf, which they had to replace. They weren't even sure if the High School football teams in the fall were going to be able to use it.
Okay. How does that impact them to the point in 2016 that they can't use House Park six months from now?
House Park does not fit USL requirements. It is a high school stadium with football lines. Both stadiums the Aztex used this year are unacceptable to the USL according to the Aztex statement. House Park reopened in time for football in late August.
Is there any concern that the Aztex's don't comeback at all? Stadium issues are not the easiest to fix and in Austin not a lot of options at this time.
Has this been an ongoing concern this year or did it just come up recently? I remember previously it was announced that the ownership were pursuing their own stadium. I wonder if they league just gave them a waver this year for the stadium. With this, I think it should bring up concerns for some other teams. Well, at least Harrisburg.
I would like to know more myself. Everything that I've seen showed the USL requiring teams to be in a soccer specific stadium by 2020. Why they've come down so hard on the Aztex while others, even new teams, are being allowed to play in less-than-ideal stadiums mystifies me and, to be frank, pisses me off. Then again, maybe they can see the way the wind is blowing in San Antonio with the Spurs coming in and don't like us looking low-rent in comparison. So, here we go again. Austin has the demographics and a huge potential market, but no place to play and pockets too shallow and insufficiently connected to make the necessary moves.
Basically, don't align with Columbus Crew or you WILL cease operations the following year in the current league you play in. A hiatus or demotion will occur.