Letter: Big Marble Go Centre naming sets great example for other local businesses

By Letter to the Editor on December 14, 2021.

Dear editor,

A big thank-you on behalf of the citizens of Medicine Hat to Marble Farms for stepping up to the plate and paying for naming rights on the former Leisure Centre. By doing so, they set a great example for other successful local businesses freely “giving back” to our city.

By doing so, city taxpayers are relieved of some of the burden of operating costs. In a slight twist to the words of John F Kennedy; ask not what your city can do for you, instead ask what you can do for your city.

Both the Moose Centre and Crestwood Pool should also have naming rights sold, which would go towards keeping their doors open. Thanks also to city staff for negotiating the Marble Farms deal.

Having said that, any misunderstanding or confusion in the public’s eyes could be avoided by making the terms of the deal public. Follow the money. Full disclosure is fair to both parties. Moose Jaw sold naming rights on their hockey centre and the terms of the deal, including the naming costs to the donor business, was made public. Other cities have done the same. Further, like the old saying goes – I don’t care what you call me as long as it’s not late for supper!

John MacLaren

Medicine Hat