Sun City West board approves 25-year Liberty Buick naming-rights deal to fund softball scoreboard

The Recreation Centers of Sun City West Governing Board voted unanimously Dec. 19 to authorize the general manager to sign a 25-year naming-rights agreement with Liberty Buick to fund a new softball scoreboard.

Director Chatham read the motion to allow "the general manager to enter a 25 year naming rights contract with Liberty Buick for the consideration of a new scoreboard for the softball field." He told the board the scoreboard was included in the reserve study and that executing the agreement would reduce the capital budget need by $50,000 and allow construction to move forward immediately.

Director Hurley said he supported the deal but voiced a reservation about the length of the term, noting "the only reservation I have is the length of the term, 25 years." Director Rhodes said similar agreements have existed in other situations and said he did not view the contract as setting a new precedent.

Director Grom raised questions about long-term maintenance and whether changes to advertising on the scoreboard would require additional payments; President Leary said signage changes would come back to the governing board for approval.

Resident Nick Missos (rec. #130703) told the board that current sponsor banners on the fence cost "roughly $1,000 a year" and last about one and a half to two years, arguing that the Liberty Field arrangement represented higher effective sponsor payments than other existing banner sponsors.

Director Chatham reread the motion, Director Williams seconded, and the board called the roll. Directors Hurley, Rhodes, Williams, Chatham, Novella and Grom voted yes; the motion passed unanimously. The board instructed the general manager to sign the agreement and proceed with the scoreboard funded by Liberty Buick.

Board members noted the need for the governing board to approve any future signage changes and for the organization to account for maintenance costs over the long term.