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Posted: 5:05 PM- It's done. Sandy is getting a stadium. And Utah is keeping its Major League Soccer team.

The Utah House gave final approval this afternoon to a funding package - pitched by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. - for a $110 million Sandy soccer stadium.

The vote was 48-24. The Senate passed the measure earlier this week.

RSL owner Dave Checketts announced at a 4:30 p.m. news conference that "once and for all" the team is staying.

Checketts turned down what he termed a "credible" offer from a group of investors, who wanted to buy the team and move it to St. Louis.

The Utah deal provides $35 million in hotel taxes for land and infrastructure for a stadium near 9400 South State. Sandy already has committed to kick in another $15 million toward an expanded project, which would include a hotel and broadcast center.

Under the plan, the state will own the land where the stadium would sit.

Thursday's vote followed 45 minutes of debate on the House floor, where lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle took turns touting the deal. Just before the vote, Huntsman visited the Republican and Democratic caucuses to lobby legislators to approve an amended HB38.

"We have an opportunity here to really capture the imagination of the nation and really the whole world with what Real will bring," Huntsman told the Democrats.

The governor also assured lawmakers that the key terms of RSL's previous deal with Salt Lake County would remain intact under the state's plan.

For instance: the team would agree to provide the $7.5 million in funding for a youth sports complex in northwest Salt Lake City, along with an elite sports academy, likely at the same location.

Huntsman said he also was assured by the team that it would provide signs and other materials to promote Sandy, Salt Lake County and the state. RSL still will provide 500 tickets per home game for at-risk youths, he added.

"To me, that isn't a great risk," said Huntsman who noted the deal (at least on the county end) has been "vetted and scrutinized unlike any other public private partnership anywhere in the country."

County Mayor Peter Corroon rejected a stadium deal, calling it too risky. After reviewing the team's financial documents and projections, the county's Debt Review Committee also recommended against the stadium plan.

Huntsman spokesman Mike Mower told the Democratic caucus that the state would look to negotiate some type of guarantee to keep RSL in Utah, and perhaps a penalty if the team leaves.

But some House members still took issue with the "public-private partnership."

"There's got to be a negative," said Rep. Phil Riesen, D-Salt Lake City. "Is this too good to be true?"

Several House members complained they were duped Friday, when HB38 was presented as a bill for parking. After it was amended, it became the vehicle for a Sandy stadium project.

The bill sponsor, Rep. Merlynn Newbold, R-South Jordan, refused to vote when the time came, saying afterward she was inclined to vote no because she was not that excited about soccer.

"It's created a lot of skepticism from the public," said Minority Leader Ralph Becker, D-Salt Lake City, who voted for the bill but noted reaction from his constituents has run 15-to-1 against the deal.

"This is worthy of our support, but it comes with a lot of trepidation because our public has not been with us," he said.

But many lawmakers lauded the benefits of the bill, noting the state would own the land beneath a stadium, minimizing the risk on the investment.

Lawmakers also pointed to the wide exposure RSL could generate for Utah with its own stadium, suggesting it will help boost tourism and the image of the Beehive State.

"This will have a similar effect as the Olympics," said Rep. Brad King, D-Price. "I have no doubt about that."

Corroon said he understood the funding was a priority for the state and agreed it ultimately will benefit all Utah residents. He also pledged his support, adding he will definitely attend games in the new stadium.

"Now that it's done, we want to contiue to help where we can to make sure it is successful," Corroon said. "I'm glad it's over. "I hope that now that the state's done what it's done, Real will stay in Utah and live up to their commitments."

Seconds into the vote count, a lobbyist in the hallway remarked, "It's a slaughter."

The bill passed with a 10-vote cushion. Twelve Democrats voted yes, securing its passage.