SANDY -- A new light-rail station in Sandy could be open by late summer, offering riders easier access to the South Towne Exposition Center, Jordan Commons and a planned professional soccer stadium.

Officials said the stop would link Sandy and downtown Salt Lake City, allowing massive conventions shared between the Expo Center and the Salt Palace. It would be called Sandy Expo.

The Utah Transit Authority board is scheduled to meet to ratify the decision on Wednesday. Officials said they hope the stop will make Sandy more of a destination, rather than primarily a commuter stop.

"It will be (for) people going to a movie, having dinner or attending an event at the Expo Center or, one day, soccer games," said Justin Jones, a UTA spokesman.

The Real Salt Lake professional soccer team is planning to build a 25,000-seat stadium near the station site.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A7.