Arena to retain Brandt name for another 10 years
The Brandt name will live on for another 10 years at the 6,000-seat arena at Evraz Place after a new naming rights agreement was announced Thursday.
The agreement means more funding for Regina Exhibition Association Limited, which operates Evraz Place, to invest in the Brandt Centre and the people and programs for which it houses. The two parties have been in talks since their last deal expired in September 2015.
“At any negotiation, you’re going in with your interests on both parties’ sides, but we are pleased with the agreement,” said REAL marketing director Paula Kohl.
In 2018, the Regina Pats will host the Memorial Cup at the arena, but improvements will need to be made in order to meet CHL requirements.
“Brandt has made us aware that they want some of that money to be invested in the facility itself for readiness for (the) Memorial Cup that takes place next year, but it’s one of those things that we’ll discuss,” said Kohl.
According to Shaun Semple, president of Brandt Industries and part owner of the Pats, the majority of the funds will go toward improving the facility itself, including the enhancements needed to host the cup. But he said those improvements benefit everybody.
“It will play into concerts, Agribition, Western Farm Progress Show. All of the people who use the Brandt Centre will benefit from the investments,” said Semple.
Kohl said if the two parties disagree on how much money should be put into improving the building itself versus the programs and people at the Brandt Centre, negotiations will be done with the community’s best interest in mind. But she said a substantial portion of the proceeds will go toward ensuring the facility meets Memorial Cup standards.
Both parties have said the amount of funding in the agreement is confidential, but a recent Brandt press release stated that this investment, combined with the previous naming agreement and funds invested through Queen City Sports and Entertainment (the Pats’ ownership group), brings the total contributions by Brandt to almost $7 million.
A tri-partner agreement is also in the works between Evraz, Brandt and the Pats. The agreement will determine how the building will be operated and what enhancements will be required in terms of food delivery, food quality, parking and entrances and exits. All of this is in an effort to improve the fan experience said Semple.
Formal negotiations haven’t started yet, but Semple expects an agreement to be made by the end of the summer.
“It’s also to make sure that we have a good alignment of the parties ... Evraz has to run a business. The Pats have to run a business and make sure their fans are happy and Brandt has a reputation, by putting their name on the building, that they want to make sure that people view the facility in the highest standards,” said Semple.
Additional funding from the city is also in the works. According to Semple, Evraz received a letter from the city saying it supports the investment needed to ensure the centre meets CHL standards. At this point, it is still subject to the council’s approval.
“We don’t anticipate there being a problem, but they still have to do that yet formally,” said Semple. He expects it to happen within the next few weeks, but said Evraz is in charge of discussions with the city.
Improvements are currently being made to the glass and boards at the Brandt Centre, which Kohl said would have been done regardless of the agreement.