Board reviews stadium naming‑rights proposal; Heritage Bank emerges high bidder, contract slated for Jan. 26 action

Administration presented a stadium naming‑rights solicitation for Memorial Field and said Heritage Bank submitted the highest bid.

Val, the district’s director of finance, told the board that the district set a minimum bid of $12,000 annually and that Heritage Bank’s proposal was $18,000 per year for 10 years. “Heritage Bank was the high bidder. Their bid was 18,000 annually for 10 years,” Val said, describing the package as annual lump‑sum payments and signage on a new digital scoreboard and a mesh banner.

Board members probed contract protections: one member asked what would happen if the sponsor went bankrupt or became the subject of a scandal. Val said the draft contract contained a payment default remedy (a 30‑day cure period) and promised to ensure the final agreement includes broader termination language. A board member also referenced district policy 809.1, which the administration confirmed authorizes the district to terminate sponsorship agreements at its discretion if a sponsor’s actions tarnish the district’s image.

Design and sales strategy were a major part of the discussion. Members asked whether the scoreboard side that faces the school could reserve upper space for a “welcome” message and sell fewer advertising strips to maintain a community feel. Vendors’ mockups show multiple horizontal strips; administration said panels are sold horizontally and could be sold as individual strips or an entire row. Administration also said a double‑sided scoreboard was outside the current budget.

Next steps: Val said a draft contract and final mockups will be reviewed with the city and vendor, and that the naming‑rights contract will be presented as an individual action item at the board’s Jan. 26 meeting for approval.