New naming rights sponsor sought for Stadium

A new naming rights sponsor is being sought for FMG Stadium at Arena Manawatu as the ten year sponsorship agreement comes to an end.

Palmerston North Deputy Mayor Jim Jefferies says he wants to publicly acknowledge FMG's commitment to our community and the professional manner in which the sponsorship negotiations have been managed. In the end, both parties agreed to look towards a new beginning."

"FMG's sponsorship has been a long and enjoyable agreement. It has provided FMG with a strong brand presence both regionally and nationally via televised coverage of sporting events."

"FMG has many local sponsorships and I trust it will continue to be a leading corporate citizen in our city."

General manager of City Enterprises, which runs Arena Manawatu, Ray McIndoe says the Stadium has a strong sponsorship proposition and staff will now seek a new naming rights sponsor to take over once the FMG contract ends in June this year.

"Recently we employed independent consultants to review Arena Manawatu's sponsorship offering and I'm pleased to say it holds up well even though a number of newer stadiums around the country have been built."

While it's sad to say goodbye to FMG it was a joint decision. We both agree it is an ideal time for another company to put its name to the stadium given the adoption and subsequent rollout of Arena Manawatu Master Plan. The Plan will improve the street frontage and entranceways to the Stadium, enhancing the Stadium and upgrading the embankment, and in the long term a covered stand on the south embankment will be built.

Arena Manawatu manager David Walsh says whoever takes up the opportunity will benefit from the fortunes of the Manawatu Turbos who have been elevated within the ITM Cup competition which will provide greater media coverage and lead to more exciting teams playing at the Stadium with larger crowds. The Stadium also hosts some of the Hurricane's Super 15 matches and has currently submitted a bid for a British and Irish Lions match in 2017.

The Stadium is the home of Roberston Holden International Speedway and a multitude of Stock Car events. "These events bring in tens of thousands of fans to the city every year from all over New Zealand and - providing a potential sponsor with great coverage," says Mr Walsh.

"We get more than 100,000 people through the Stadium every year and televised audience coverage reaches more than half a million people each year."

Arena Manawatu is a busy and versatile events and activities complex. In 2014 it hosted 3070 individual events/venue bookings. 36 sporting codes train/play throughout the complex and Arena also holds trade shows, weddings, dinners, conferences, conventions, meetings, seminars, festivals, concerts and leisure events throughout the facility.

Situated in the heart of Palmerston North in a park like environment Arena Manawatu boasts a multitude of indoor and outdoor venues on the 18 hectare site. The Steelfort Lounge in the Stadium offers 360 degree views of the city and the surrounding region.

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