MOOSE JAW — City hall and Winmar Moose Jaw have renewed a naming rights and advertising agreement that will see the latter continue to support the indoor pool and other city-owned venues.
During its June 23 regular meeting, city council voted unanimously to approve the three-year agreement between the two parties for the naming rights to the Kinsmen Sportsplex Pool’s waterslide, with the contract commencing Sept. 1 and expiring Aug. 31, 2028.
Furthermore, council authorized the mayor and city clerk to sign the agreement for the municipality.
Besides the waterslide naming rights — Willy Winmar Waterslide — Winmar Moose Jaw will also purchase advertising at the Phyllis Dewar Outdoor Pool and city dog parks and sponsor the Yara Centre’s toddler turf and recreation program.
The renewed contract will see the business pay the city $5,100 per year or $15,300 over the three years. However, since EMJ Marketing will receive a commission after assisting with the deal’s renewal, the city’s total net revenue will be $12,240.
“(This is) an exciting renewal opportunity for the city (because of the) excellent partnership that has been developed here with Winmar Moose Jaw,” Derek Blais, director of community services, said while introducing his report.
Winmar Moose Jaw held a similar agreement for naming rights, advertising and sponsorship during the past three years, but with the company under new ownership, it was decided to renegotiate a new three-year agreement, the report said.
Some of the main terms in the agreement include:
- The city will grant Winmar Moose Jaw the naming rights to the Kinsmen Sportsplex waterslide, including advertising placement around the side
- Winmar can display two advertising signs on the chain-link fence at the outdoor pool and one sign at each dog park
- The city will permit the business to display two advertising signs on the sideline walls at the Yara Centre, while all promotion of the toddler turf area will be branded as Winmar Toddler Turf
- The business will be financially responsible for the installation, maintenance and repair of all signs
- After the agreement expires, and “subject to being in good standing,” Winmar Moose Jaw will have the first right of renewal
Coun. Patrick Boyle commended this agreement renewal as a “good thing,” while he applauded the city for maintaining a positive relationship with Winmar. He then joked that he wanted to see Mayor James Murdock announcing the naming rights renewal while sliding down the waterslide.
“It’s a good news story. (I) appreciate administration seeking out these opportunities,” agreed Coun. Chris Warren, who then asked administration into which revenue accounts the money would go.
Blais replied that the money will go into the city’s operating revenue accounts; specifically, into accounts that cover the Kinsmen Sportsplex pool, the outdoor pool, the dog park and Yara Centre.
“We do budget for advertising revenues at all those facilities I named,” he added. “And yes, this would help ensure we meet our budget targets and will obviously help with our programming and various activities at these facilities.”
The next regular council meeting is Monday, July 14.
