Representatives of the City of Moose Jaw and Yara Belle Plaine gathered Dec. 1 on the turf at the 65,000 sq. ft. Yara Centre to officially sign the renewed naming rights agreement for the recreation centre, ensuring another 10 years of partnership.
“I think it’s absolutely fabulous that this partnership’s lasted 10 years and it’s going to last at least another 10 years,” Clive Tolley, Mayor of the City of Moose Jaw, said at the ceremony. “Anytime the city can have partnerships with business that work for both parties, it’s an opportunity to celebrate.”
Tolley noted that the winter weather and blowing snow of the day made going outside intimidating and lauded the indoor recreation space of the Yara Centre as one of the city’s key attractions.
“We’ve been promoting the city … as a place where you can get a life,” Tolley noted. “And today, it’s howling wind and snow out there, but here inside it’s a beautiful climate-controlled space where people can exercise and get together and socialize. I think that’s just one more thing about Moose Jaw that’s very important to people that may think about moving here.
“You can see people here walking, and my wife will be here later today to do her exercise classes. So, there’s many people enjoying this facility and without sponsorships like Yara’s, it’s more difficult to operate a facility like this. This is to the benefit of everyone.”
Aaron Bourque, plant manager at Yara Belle Plaine, signed the agreement on behalf of his company. He said Yara Belle Plaine has become known for being associated with the Yara Centre and the fertilizer company always includes that sponsorship in its business plans.
“It’s about being part of the community,” Bourque said after the signing. “We’re proud of being part of the Moose Jaw community and the surrounding area, and we want to be able to support the areas where our employees and our business partners work and live.”
Bourque noted during his remarks that many people don’t know what Yara Belle Plaine actually does, leading to humorous misunderstandings.
“It’s more entertaining than anything (else),” he chuckled. “We just say … well, we support that building … but we’re actually a fertilizer production facility over on Kalium Road.”
The signing was also attended by Jim Puffalt, city manager; Derek Blais, the city’s director of parks and recreation; Scott Osmachenko, city manager of recreation services; Tracy Wittke, city clerk, and her assistant Pam Montgomery; city councillor Jamey Logan; Dacey Seaborg, recreation services supervisor at Yara Centre; Carrie Hartley, executive assistant with Yara Belle Plaine; and Dale Flint, procurement manager at Yara Belle Plaine.
Yara Belle Plaine has held the naming rights for the facility since Jan. 1, 2013. The new agreement is under the same terms, with Yara paying $50,000 a year for 10 years.
The agreement takes effect Jan. 1, 2023 and will end Dec. 31, 2032.
