Councillors choose oval sponsor, details kept under wraps
Posted Nov 23, 2011 05:52:05 AM.
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Halifax city council met in camera for more than four hours Tuesday afternoon to discuss the naming rights for the skating oval on the Halifax Commons.
After a lengthy debate, council announced they had agreed to award the corporate sponsorship to the highest bidder – but wouldn’t reveal who that bidder it.
“There was a lot of discussion on many issues,” said Mayor Peter Kelly. “But right now, we do not have an agreed-to contract because to have to go back to the parties involved.”
Kelly says the sponsor can’t be identified until the contract is signed. He said the sponsor – and the oval’s new name – will be revealed at the grand opening sometim next month.
“There were a couple [companies] being discussed,” he said. “But until contracts are signed off, it is an incomplete process.”
It’s not clear whether the amount of the winning bid will ever be made public.
Molson Coors has already pledged $400,000 to make the oval a permanent fixture on the commons. Emera donated an additional $500,000 to the $4 million contruction project. City staff estimate the oval will cost at least $400,000 per year to operate.
