NEWS RELEASE
CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF SAULT STE. MARIE
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At its meeting on Sept. 25, 2017, City Council authorized City staff to undertake a Request for Proposal process to secure a corporate sponsor for the naming rights for the city’s event centre. The City of Sault Ste. Marie is pleased to announce that it is now accepting proposals from interested parties for the naming rights of its 5,000 seat spectator arena and multi-use venue (presently the ‘Essar Centre') located at 269 Queen St. E.
The event centre, owned and operated by the city, is located in the heart of Sault Ste. Marie’s downtown core and is northern Ontario’s premier centre for sports and entertainment.
“Naming rights provides an opportunity to create a valuable, positive association with the City of Sault Ste. Marie through marketing, advertising, hospitality, website and promotional opportunities,” says Tom Vair, deputy CAO, Community Development and Enterprise Services. “The successful proponent will gain local, provincial, and national exposure and will be able to use the event centre name and/or logo in its advertising and promotions.”
Essar Steel was originally successful in securing naming rights to the venue on July 23, 2008. The $1.5 million sponsorship was for a 10-year agreement that had been paid fully in advance. The current agreement runs until July 31, 2018. The city’s event centre is home to the Soo Greyhounds, many concerts, family shows, ice shows, athletic events, conventions, trade shows and other special events.
All questions and requests for clarification relating to the Request for Proposal process shall be directed to Tim Gowans, manager of purchasing, at (705) 759-5298, or by email to [email protected].
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