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Abbotsford looking to make money from selling naming rights to assets

City manager George Murray says other communities in the province have been making up to $1 million for the sponsorship of their assets.
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The city wants to know how much money it can expect by selling naming rights for its assets. Abbotsford Centre is likely to be among those considered.

The City of Abbotsford wants to know how much it can make by selling naming rights to its facilities and other assets.

City manager George Murray says other communities in the province have been making up to $1 million for the sponsorship of their assets.

While Abbotsford doesn't know how much it could stand to make from sponsorships, the city has issued a request for proposals to develop an inventory of "municipal programs, services, facilities, events and other marketing assets." Such an inventory would also include the revenue the city could expect to make from selling sponsorships.

Murray said the city would consult with the public before allowing a company to go ahead with a sponsorship.

Top of the list will likely be naming rights for Abbotsford Centre. Arenas in many communities are named for corporate sponsors, although often they also have an anchor tenant.

In Vernon, the regional district receives $40,000 every year for the sponsorship of Kal Tire Place, a 3,000-seat facility that hosts British Columbia Hockey League games and other events.