The City and the Merritt Centennials have renewed an agreement to allow the Cents to keep 100% of arena advertising revenue through May 2024.
Brought up as an item at the April 20 City Council meeting, the agreement is the first to be officially put pen to paper since 2008, when the last signed agreement expired. Since then, there have only been annual verbal renewals.
Previous agreements have been three party agreements between the City of Merritt, Merritt Arena Sports Ltd. and the Centennials. The new agreement would be a two-party agreement between the City of Merritt and the Centennials.
This advertising includes rink boards, in-ice advertising, staircase risers, the ice resurfacer, and the wall boards. The Centennials program is responsible for all of the advertising and up-keep.
City Council had nothing but positive words to say about the impact the Cents make in the Merritt community, and that they are more than deserving of reserving the full amount of revenue from arena advertising.
“Without the Centennials there, we aren’t going to get the advertising dollars from the revenue anyways,” said Mayor Linda Brown. “So this advertising is made possible because of the Centennials.”
Recreation and Facilities Manager Sky McKeown, who made the initial presentation to council about the possible agreement, echoed Mayor Brown’s words.
“We would not get the effect that they bring,” said McKeown. “They have a big draw, there are a lot of bums in the seats that they sell because of what they promote and what they do, and as for companies advertising in the arena, they are getting more bang for their buck with the BCHL team being there.”
Councillor Adam Etchart agreed wholeheartedly with the pen being put to paper.
“I definitely agree that the way the Centennials run it as they do is the big draw…it’s such a regular thing, a regular event, something to look forward to. They’ve been here for a long time…you could have it a different way, but just the way it looks, it looks like a big city arena with all the advertising…even hearing (McKeown’s) presentation, it’s just nice to see, look at all the businesses…sometimes you forget because you haven’t been able to attend anything in the arena lately, but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Councillor Melvina White added that Merritt is “lucky” to have the Cents in town.
“I think it’s a great way to support the team. It’s a way to help them move forward.”
Councillor Travis Fehr said that the advertising is a “revolving door” that benefits both the local hockey team and local businesses.
The motion was carried with all Councillors in favour.
