The SportsLegacy Foundation on Wednesday rejected another site for the Riverhounds' new soccer-only stadium.
But that doesn't mean the process must start all over again.
According to Jim Wilharm, one of the principals of Alliance Soccer — the Riverhounds' parent company — three Allegheny County sites are still under consideration.
And Cliff Gorski, Alliance Soccer's vice-president of corporate communications, said the stadium will be built.
"This is going to happen," Gorski said. "It has gotten frustrating, because we think we are so far along, and then we find out the site we are looking at is not going to work."
The foundation agreed to take 120 days to reassess the feasibility of this latest site in Collier Township, off Interstate 79. It was nixed because of high excavation costs.
Also, a possible traffic problem existed; cars might back up onto a ramp near the interstate. The large amount of dirt to be removed wasn't noticed sooner because many trees covered the space.
"It is hard to find flat land in western Pennsylvania," Wilharm said. "It is a little frustrating, but it is our goal to find the right location. I just hope the fans realize how difficult it is to find a site, especially the size we need."
The Riverhounds need 150 acres of flat land. The plan is to create a soccer-specific complex that would include a 7,500-10,000-seat stadium, 24 outdoor soccer fields, an indoor practice facility and a dormitory. The complex also could be used for youth, high school and college tournaments. Neither Gorski nor Wilharm could give a time frame for when another site would be announced.
The Riverhounds can continue to play at Bethel Park Stadium, the team's home for the past 3 1/2 seasons, until they find somewhere to build a new home, Gorski said.
This is not the first time a site has been rejected. Another Collier location previously was nixed because of local opposition.
The A-League certainly is not pushing the Riverhounds. Director of A-League Operations Tim Holt said he has confidence in Riverhounds president and CEO Paul A. Heasley, who also is the SportsLegacy Foundation chairman. The two spoke by phone yesterday.
"I'm positive about the franchise, and the direction (the Riverhounds) are going," Holt said. "Mr. Heasley is really committed to this. I know it is not easy to find a site. (Yesterday) was just a minor setback. It just has been a tough season for the Riverhounds."
They have just three victories with 10 regular-season games remaining, and the team fired head coach Kai Haaskivi on Monday. Assistant coach Tim Carter is the interim coach for the rest of the season.
"Finding a site can be a difficult task," Carter said. "You have to deal with the terrain, and the cost of land, and trying to find a place that is right for what your team needs. It is disappointing, but when you are dropping that much capital, you have to be sure."
