The search is on to rename Mosaic Place. 

The City of Moose Jaw is contracting a third party to locate and negotiate a new naming rights agreement for the Moose Jaw Events Centre, also known as Mosaic Place. 

The city will be contracting Performance Sponsorship Group at a quoted cost of $29,000 and a one-time commission of 20 per cent. City council approved the move on Monday night. 

Mosaic Company’s naming rights expired on Aug. 31, 2021. The city had discussions with Mosaic Company, and they agreed to stay on for one additional year while the city looked to source out a new partner for transition purposes. 

The company announced in March of 2021 that it would not be renewing its 10-year naming rights agreement with the city worth $1.5 million.  

Mosaic Company has made it clear to the city that it is not in agreement to allow the name on the building past Aug. 31, 2022. 

City manager Jim Puffalt said they would be looking for a 10-year agreement with the new partner. 

“That would be our intent and again we would hear what they're able to negotiate with the company. That of course has to be approved by the city. And so, we would look for a 10-year. It's important to get continuity and some surety of how long we're into a naming rights agreement,” he said. 

Staff at the events centre have already begun removing small interior signage including decals on washroom glass, premium level glass and interior walls. The large Mosaic front entrance mural is scheduled to come down in early August. 

Mosaic Company is bearing the costs associated with the removal of all Mosaic Place signage as part of the agreement. 

Over the past several months, a naming rights committee comprised of the mayor, Coun. Jamey Logan, city administration and Spectra management was created to search for a naming rights partner in Moose Jaw and the surrounding area. Those searches have been unsuccessful. 

“We've exhausted our local resources in terms of getting a corporation to come forward as a naming rights sponsor, and we see no reason to delay any further. We must go forward and try and develop a naming rights sponsor for the facility,” said Mayor Clive Tolley. 

Not having a naming agreement in place could have an impact of about $58,375 for 2022, plus an estimated $50,000 to replace exterior signage on an interim basis. City council chose not to move forward with temporary signage and save the $50,000.

The potential loss of revenue and negative changes in the 2022 budget is dependent on the timing of the new naming rights agreement. The loss of revenue was broken down as $14,593 for Sept. 1, $29,186 for Oct. 1, $43,779 for Nov. 1 and $58,375 for Dec. 1. 

The committee completed a request for proposals for a professional naming rights company. Three companies put in proposals with the committee recommending Performance Sponsorship Group. 

Puffalt added that they had a couple of potential local companies interested right up until April or May and that is why they didn’t jump the gun in hiring a professional service. 

“When it came down to the bottom line they were unable to move forward, so I don't think there's any point in continuing to approach them. I think that just irritates people,” he said. 

City council the motion included increasing Mosaic Place’s budget by $29,000. It was passed 5-2 with Councillors Luhning and Kim Robinson opposed. 

Not everyone around the table felt all resources were exhausted. Coun. Dawn Luhning was visibly upset that she was unaware of the naming rights committee and that other city councillors didn’t get any input. It led to this exchange between her and Puffalt. 

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