The Vancouver Whitecaps’ home stadium could soon bear a new name, as the company that operates BC Place received permission from the British Columbia provincial government on Monday to seek private naming-rights proposals.
Additional information about the RFP process will be released on Feb. 19, a shortlist of naming candidates is to be announced by June and a winner should be revealed in July, The Vancouver Sun reported.
Revenue generated from a naming-rights partnership would be directed towards operational costs at BC Place, a publicly-owned, multi-use venue which is also home to the CFL’s BC Lions and myriad other events that draw more than a million visitors in all to the downtown, retractable-roof facility.
“BC Place is a vibrant, world-class facility, and is one of only a few venues of this size and profile in North America yet to capitalize on this valuable type of revenue opportunity,” said Ian Aikenhead, chairperson of the BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo), which operates the stadium.
The winning name proposal will be selected by a joint evaluation committee whose members will come from the BC government and PavCo. According to provincial guidelines for publicly-owned facilities, companies that promote alcohol or “other addictive substances” are not permitted as names for any venue hosting events “primarily geared to children.”
“This naming-rights sponsorship opportunity will make more funds available for government to improve the services that British Columbians count on,” said BC tourism minister Lisa Beare. “We believe this is an excellent time to look for the right corporate partner for this important facility in BC, and through that sponsorship, generate significant benefit for British Columbians.”
