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School seeks naming rights |
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Tuesday, 15 April 2008 |
By KAY LOUTH
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — Members of the St. Marys Board of Education plan to delve into the world of corporate sponsorships to help defray some of the cost of the new school building.
Business Manger Kurt Kuffner said he is soliciting proposals on behalf of the school from business and industries for naming rights to the new gymnasium. Such a proposal would be similar to naming rights sold at college and professional arenas and fields.
“It’s just something we’re trying to do to save some taxpayer dollars,” Kuffner told The Evening Leader. “Many schools have done this — the most recent is Elida.”
Initially, Kuffner said they were seeking sponsorships of $125,000 payable over 10 years.
However it was decided to leave the dollar figure up the actual business entity itself.
“They might want to give more,” Kuffner said. “It was the consensus to leave it open. It’s a financial benefit for the school because revenue will be coming in for a period of years to help pay for the cost of the floor and the industries benefit because they will be advertising before 15,000 to 20,000 on Friday and Saturday nights.”
Sponsors will have their names painted somewhere on the gymnasium floor as well as on one of the walls inside the gymnasium. The naming opportunity extends to the high school gymnasium as well as the auxiliary gymnasium.
“It is similar to what you see on college floors or pro floors,” Kuffner said. “A lot more of that in the high school environment as well. It won’t be at center court or in the free throw lane.”
District officials said construction on the new school should be begin in September 2010.
The concept of corporate sponsorships has been a topic of discussion for a while and there may be other naming right opportunities in the future.
“There will be more opportunities for naming rights up for discussion at the board meeting,” Kuffner said.
The St. Marys Board of Education is scheduled to meet at 7:30 p.m. today in city building located along East Spring Street.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 20 April 2008 )
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