The Municipality of Leamington is explaining why it has renamed some of its public facilities lately.
Most recently, it entered a naming rights agreement with Lakeside Produce to rename the municipal marina, Lakeside Marina. It also renamed the Kinsmen Recreation Complex the Nature Fresh Recreation Centre.
Since then, residents have questioned why facilities are undergoing a name change.
Under the agreements, a corporation buys the right to name a facility for a defined period, and it is a source of revenue for the Municipality. Without it, Leamington may have to raise property taxes to continue service levels and programming or upgrade those facilities.
So far, Leamington has secured more than $2 million from local companies.
"We live in a very generous community, and the $2 million we have received in sponsorship dollars really showcases that," said Mayor Hilda MacDonald. "The primary drivers behind our naming-rights strategy is to recognize a donor's community commitment and to help fund the facilities that improve the quality of life for our residents."
She called it a "win-win situation."
The municipality launched its naming-rights sponsorship program last year. It is not a purchase agreement.
