Hermiston council approves Good Shepherd naming rights for new pickleball complex

The Hermiston City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve a naming-rights agreement that would name the city’s under-construction pickleball facility the Good Shepherd Healthcare System Pickleball Complex after a $100,000 donation from Good Shepherd.Healthy council and staff said the agreement implements a naming-rights policy the council adopted last year and does not change ownership of the land or improvements.

City Manager Smith told the council the pickleball committee has been active in fundraising and that construction dirt work has begun. “For a donation of a $100,000, the Good Shepherd Healthcare System would like to enter into [an] agreement with the city for the naming rights of that complex, which would officially be the Good Shepherd Healthcare System Pickleball Complex,” Smith said. The staff report says the city and hospital will coordinate on signage and logo standards before installing any signs.

Councilor McCarthy thanked staff for including the new naming-rights policy in the packet and stressed that the agreement does not transfer ownership. “The name rights to name the facility do not dictate ownership. This would still remain property of city and of Hermiston through the parks and rec department,” McCarthy said. The council confirmed that the complex and improvements remain city property and that the agreement grants only naming and recognition rights.

The motion to approve the naming-rights agreement was moved, seconded and adopted by roll call vote. The clerk recorded the motion as passing unanimously (7–0). Staff will return final signage plans to the city for approval before installation.

The pickleball committee and donors began fundraising and site preparation in recent months; the council packet indicates ongoing coordination between the city, the committee and Good Shepherd on final design and signage.