Heated debate broke out Monday night between Township councillors and members of the public regarding naming rights of the new Schomberg Arena and King Township Curling and Fitness Centre.

In the end it was decided that CAO Scott Somerville, Township Solicitor Jeff Feehely and Parks, Recreation and Culture Director Catherine Purcell enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Trisan Construction in the amount of $300,000 for the naming rights.

Mayor Margaret Black and Councillors Linda Pabst, Jack Rupke and Bill Cober were in the favour of The Trisan Centre as the facility name.

According to the staff report, a Request for Expressions of Interest (EOI) was advertised extensively, including on the Township’s Web site, in June, until July 2. There were 44 interested parties picking up the EOI, but only one submission by Trisan was received and opened by the Clerk July 2.

According to the report, council authorized staff to negotiate the naming rights of the facility with Trisan for approval by council.

The staff report also stated the name The Trisan Centre is to be put in place for 50 years or for the life of the facility. Other agreements addressed in the staff report dealt with such matters as signage in and around the facility, etc.

As well, all proceeds from the $300,000 facility naming rights contribution offsets a portion of the Township’s project costs. The Memorandum of Understanding will define a payment schedule for the funds.

Schomberg resident and council candidate Greg Locke argued against giving naming rights to Trisan.

“I have a strong interest in ‘ART,’ standing for Accountability, Responsibility and Transparency, but there is a shortage of it,” Locke argued, adding that with the funding formula for the new arena soon to be called The Trisan Centre, it confirmed to him how much there is need of good “ART” in King.

“This proposed signage arrangement you will approve tonight with a predictable vote is the finishing touch on what I must say, is one of the worst displays of ‘ART’ I have ever seen,” Locked argued.

Mayoralty candidate Steve Pellegrini charged this deal is not good for the Township.

“In my experience, we have been consistently been able to acquire $250,000 for the arena for 10 years only, so why are you trying to do a deal for 50 years?” he asked.

Pellegrini said this deal will end up costing the municipality money.

“All the signage, plaquing, directional and surface advertising will cost the Township at least $100,000, especially if there are any electronics with them,” Pellegrini commented.

As for the EOI mentioned in the staff report, Pellegrini said that is not effective tool.

“The Economic Development Officer and the Mayor should be actively selling this new centre and finding individuals or businesses in King who would be willing to invest,” he said.

Pellegrini also argued that Trisan could resell the rights to someone else in the future, if they wanted,

He concluded that he knew someone from the township who was willingly to pay more for the arena and keep it for a shorter period than 50 years.

Councillor Cleve Mortelliti echoed Pellegrini’s argument.

“This really bugs me, this whole funding formula for naming rights,” he remarked. “We were not given enough money. This is disappointing.”

Councillor Jeff Laidlaw agreed that the figure is very low.

“This is insanity,” he declared. “Also, after naming the centre The Trisan Centre, no one will want to have anything to do with it. I am voting against the recommendation.”

Rupke asked staff if Pellegrini said he knows someone who would pay more, would it be wise to defer the issue to a later date.

Somerville advised against it.

“We don’t know who this person is,” he argued. “We are only going on a hunch.”

Pellegrini said that the person he was referring to didn’t know this issue existed.

“He was over at my house one day and saw the write up in the King Weekly, and said he would be willing to give more money to the Township and want it for a lesser time,” he commented.

Cober thought the deal in front of them was an excellent one.

“There is nothing but good things coming from this project,” Cober said.

Councillor Jane Underhill said she was concern about the issue and wanted it deferred to see if another person was willing to pay more.

“This person should come forward,” Somerville commented.

Pabst asked Purcell if a deferral would have a major impact on the Township.

“I don’t think that should be asked,” Somerville said. “I think council needs to put staff in the right direction.