What’s in a name? For the Kamloops Sports Council, it’s cash to go toward fundraising required to host tournaments. For $15,000 to $25,000 a year, with a three to five-year commitment, sponsors can have their name on the ice and a Zamboni at the McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre, Memorial Arena, Valleyview Arena or at Brocklehurst Arena. They can also get signs on the court floors, score clocks, dressing rooms and web cam at the Tournament Capital Centre fieldhouse and courts.
Sports council president Henry Pejril recently announced the sponsorship program, officially called the Tournament Capital Club Partnership Program.
Some other cities sell off naming rights to facilities, but those monies typically go back into municipal coffers to reduce tax levels. That’s what makes this one different, said City business and facilities manager Jeff Putnam. “I think it’s the first of its kind in Canada.” In this case, the money is not going into the City’s general funds, but is moved to the Kamloops Sports Council to use to back up its bids.
Sports tournaments are estimated to pump $11 million into the Kamloops economy every year and the naming program is expected to boost that even more, said Putnam.