PORT ANGELES ¬– A proposal in the works by Port Angeles city staff would allow the naming rights to park facilities and programs to be sold in order to generate additional revenue.
The proposed policy for which few details have been developed, would allow the city’s parks and facilities — such as Civic Field, City Pier and Lincoln Park — sport tournaments and other programs to be named after an individual, organization or company that can come up with enough cash.
The proposed policy was on the City Council’s agenda on March 3, but it was removed because city staff members have yet to finalize their recommendation.
Port Angeles Public Works and Utilities Director Glenn Cutler, who oversees the park facilities, said earlier this month that city staff have some additional questions to resolve, but declined to say what those questions include.
Deputy Parks Director Richard Bonine said he did not know what those questions are since Culter left for vacation before they could discuss the policy.
He said it wasn’t known when the proposal would be presented to the council.
Cost undecided
Bonine said that the city doesn’t have any estimates on how much money sponsorships would cost, or how much revenue the city estimates the policy would generate.
He said the details of any proposals would be considered on a case-per-case basis.
The proposed policy that was to be sent to the City Council for approval on March 3 would require any sponsorships to be vetted by Bonine, the city’s Parks, Recreation and Beautification Commission, and the City Council’s Parks and Facilities Oversight Committee.
“If they think it’s a good idea and I think it’s a good idea, then we would go with it,” Bonine said.
The proposal would not allow free-standing billboards in park facilities.
Bonine said that he doesn’t foresee the city closing any additional facilities by the end of the year if the policy isn’t enacted.
“I didn’t come here to close facilities,” Bonine said. “I came here to make them prosper. This is just one tool to use.”
The city will stop funding a revenue gap for the William Shore Memorial Pool at the end of the month due to budget constraints.
Save the Pool PA is raising money to keep it open at least through June.
City staff members are also recommending that the City Council discontinue funding for the Arthur D. Feiro Marine Life Center and the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center next year to help balance the city’s 2010 budget.
Bonine said that the city has been approached by people interested in sponsoring park facilities and programs, but he added that it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to identity those people before the issue is brought before the City Council.
________
Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
