One of Vancouver’s best-known buildings could soon have a new name.
The provincial government has granted permission for the operators of B.C. Place to issue a request for proposals to select a naming rights sponsor.
The B.C. Pavilion Corporation (PavCo) will use the money to help offset operating costs.
“We believe this is an excellent time to look for the right corporate partner for this important facility in B.C., and through that sponsorship, generate significant benefit for British Columbians,” Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Lisa Beare said in a statement.
BC Place — which is the home of the CFL’s B.C. Lions and the Vancouver Whitecaps of the MLS as well as concerts and other large events — has been one of the few stadiums in North America without a corporate naming deal.
In 2012, PavCo negotiated a naming rights agreement with Telus, but the B.C. government nixed the deal, saying “the proposed agreement did not provide best value for taxpayers” and that “British Columbians have a strong attachment to the B.C. Place name.”
2012: In an uncharacteristic change of heart, the Liberal government killed a deal for 40 million dollars for the naming rights to BC Place Stadium. Jas Johal has more on what went wrong.