Urbandale Pulls Out of Menace Stadium Absolutely stunning but not I am not really surprised. This is yet another case where leaders in this area have no clue and refuse to actually act when it's crunch time. Ugh. Pathetic. http://www.dmregister.com/news/stories/c4780932/21135973.html
Here is where the stadium was... http://www.buildthestadium.org/whatsnew/whatsnew.htm "On March 4, the Urbandale City Council reviewed the results of months of negotiation between its representative and those of the SF. After open debate and discussion including staunch support from Mayor Brad Zaun, the Council voted 3-1 to continue with the final stages of a financial and development agreement. The Council's approval was critical to the Foundation's ability to retain the $2.5 million in funding awarded last year by the state through its Vision Iowa program. Stipulations made by the grant board require that Liberty Bank Stadium be both located in and owned by the city of Urbandale. On March 12, Stadium Foundation representatives announced the result of the Urbandale vote to the Vision Iowa Board, which in turn approved continued financial support. The pledged funding will remain designated for the SF provided the group produces a final agreement with Urbandale before June 1 of this year. " We were supposed to have had it. Nothing in this projected had changed between March 4th and now.
@&!%$#!*#&!^$%#!!! Oh yeah and... $@!^%#&&^%!@#!!! I wish they would just get with the City of Des Moines and build it at the Cownie soccer park where there's already an awesome 12-field soccer complex, concession stand, etc. But I suppose it's not in the heart of Lexus drivin' Soccer Mom territory in the 'burbs such as WDM, Urbandale, Clive, Waukee, Johnston, etc. Oh well, hopefully Kyle will be able to get something else going soon, the high school field they play on is crap...
Is Kyle Krause related to Tim Krause who tried to build a stadium in Milwaukee? I have been staying positive about the stadium getting built. But i'm starting to lose a little faith here. Then again, playing in the PDL at a high school stadium is still better than no team at all.
I know, I know.... it's amazing that the city could unanimously, including Zahn... the traitor, voted this down after approving it for finalizing just last month. He should be shot. I don't know what they are going to do now. All I know is it has to be an independant stadium. No schools involved. Tailgating and alcohol have to be permitted. Oh and you have to have it out West though. That is were almost all of the Menace fan base comes from.
Unfortunately, yes. Lastest in a string of debacles in and around Des Moines. The last one was the building of a new arena for the Iowa Barnstormers of Arena Football(the one that St Louis Rams star Kurt Warner played for). The team needed a new building to be successful, the city didn't get it done... the team moved, then the city approved an arena and are building it now, way behind schedule I might add.
Well let's see...I think the Metrostars have been doing this dance a little longer than the Menace...and the Burn went through similar problems until Frisco got things done...and Milwaukee were never able to make things happen on the stadium front. Unless Uncle Phil wants to buy the Menace, yeah, we will just have to look on in envy at Victoria street.
Well I can think of one fan from Waterloo that wouldn't mind the Menace building in Altoona, but then again my company's main office is in West Des Moines and the Menace's main fan base is out west. So I will give you my permission to build somewhere out west that will let the Menace build.
I'll tell you this, seeing Zahn around town again anytime soon would not be a good thing. Last time I ran into him we talked it up about how good the stadium project is and how supportive he was going to be regardless of any roadblocks. Typical politican.
This dance should have been over long ago. If Knapp hadn't of messed with things, the project wouldn't have been reconsidered, downsized last year and we'd have already broken ground. Stupid business rivalries.
As an Urbandale resident and a soccer supporter for the last 27 years, I'm unbelievably disappointed.
I know it has to be out West, but it just ticks me off! They complained about $40-50k in lawyerin' fees yet "In September 2001, the city agreed in principle to contribute nearly $6 million in incentives, including land, CASH and street improvements". Although... they keep talking up "revitalization" of downtown and there's plenty of space to build a stadium. Works for the I-Cubs. Wherever it is I'd like to see a 2-3 field indoor facility built in conjunction with it, there could be year-round activity there with leagues, camps, etc. The futsal facility in Grimes is nice, maybe put it out there, isn't there a cornfield right across the street from it? I know, don't they all...
Brad Zahn has been one of the biggest proponents of Liberty Bank Stadium. As mayor, he does not have a vote but voiced his desire for the stadium to get built. He was very upset with Urbandale City Council.
Menace Stadium Update Today's article in the DM Register is below, basically it's going to happen, but where? Krause: "He said talks will resume with Altoona, Ankeny and Drake University officials to see whether their welcome mats are out." http://www.dmregister.com/sports/stories/c6902891/21146362.html My favorite quote: "I think we screwed the Menace," a disappointed Brad Zaun, Urbandale mayor and longtime supporter, said Wednesday. Our beef is with the Urbandale city council...
Re: Menace Stadium Update Well so be it. BTW... this wasn't in the print version was it? I never saw it. Sports section was the Larry Eustachy show.
BTW.. I love the arguement of "liabilty"... that's the problem with the people in the Des Moines area. Everyone assumes things will tank. I love how this issue was only brought up at the final vote. It wasn't an issue on March 3rd when it was voted on. Liability is why the Iowa Events Center was first shot down back when the Barnstormers were asking for it. Hell, even people were arguing this time around that the Events Center would become a useless building. This attitude is why most everything is shot down in this town. It's pathetic. I don't like the idea of it in Altoona, being that it's clear on the East side.. far from the fan base and I don't like Altoona. I don't like Drake either since there would be no beer sales. Ankeny is the best solution.
Re: Re: Menace Stadium Update It was in a different section of the paper in print, but I can't remember which one, definitely not Sports.