A stadium of their own?

Feb. 13 - Mark down Colorado Rapids general manager Dan Counce on any list of movers and shakers on Denver's sports scene.

Just last week, he was involved in the opening of the team's new training complex in Westminster. But he quickly left that project behind to talk about the potential of a new stadium.

Counce first explained that Denver's Major League Soccer franchise intends to play in the new stadium for the Denver Broncos, but the Rapids are at least dreaming of a stadium of their own.

"We feel the future of MLS is in smaller stadiums of the 25,000-seat variety,'' Counce said. "We feel like a stadium such as that is in our future and very much in reality in the next four or five years.''

Counce explained that the project has gone only far enough to determine a very general location of where the team would like a new stadium.

"We like downtown or from downtown to the University of Denver area,'' Counce said. "We'd want to be near I-25 because of access. However, land is at a premium, and we'd be looking at about 20 acres to meet our needs for the stadium and parking.''

Counce said the Rapids also are open to look at other locations if they fit the needs.

"Talking about a new stadium brings up a lot of complex issues,'' Counce said. "We're a little bit of dreamers at the Rapids, but if you don't dream, you don't get.''

Among the complexities are the finances of building a new stadium. MLS hasn't generated the kind of income so far to indicate a team could take on a major expense project alone.

"We'll continue to explore our opportunities,'' Counce said. "But at the moment, anything would have to be a combination publicprivate venture. But if we found the right mix, a stadium for the Rapids might happen sooner than later.''

As for the team, the Rapids are in San Diego to begin official training for the 1999 season.

Coach Glenn Myernick was on hand last week to announce the addition of Anders Limpar of Sweden.

Limpar, who has played in top division soccer in Europe, should become one of the club's premier players. He is expected to join the Rapids during training camp after he acquires the necessary visa agreements to play in the U.S.

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