City of Guelph approves $1.2M sponsorship deal with Sleeman Breweries until 2020

By The Canadian Press Monday, June 18, 2007 http://www.dailycourier.ca/CP_stories.php?id=49498

GUELPH, Ont. (CP) - Sleeman Breweries and the City of Guelph have finalized a $1.2 million sponsorship deal that gives the beer company exclusive naming rights to the Guelph Sports & Entertainment Centre until 2020.Late Monday, Guelph’s city council approved the agreement to rename the facility the Sleeman Centre.The building is home to the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League, and a venue for several entertainment and sporting events."With over 150 years of history and tradition in the city of Guelph, I can’t think of a better way to demonstrate Sleeman’s ongoing commitment to the community than to put our name on one of the most popular, vibrant facilities in town," John Sleeman, chairman and CEO of Sleeman Breweries, said in a release."This is far and away one of the most significant initiatives Sleeman has ever undertaken and we’re proud to partner with the City of Guelph to reinforce our hometown presence with the Sleeman Centre."The newly named Sleeman Centre has a seating capacity of 5,100 for ice events and 6,500 for concerts, trade shows and seminars. The facility opened in September 2000, and is owned and operated by the City of Guelph."Sleeman Breweries is a tremendous local success story, and an outstanding corporate citizen," said Guelph Mayor Karen Farbridge in a statement."They are an important part of our community, and I am delighted their name will adorn our sports and entertainment facility."Its the second major business initiative Sleeman has made in its hometown in recent months. In December, it purchased property adjacent to its Guelph brewing facility to be used for future expansion.Sleeman was bought last fall by Japanese-based Sapporo Breweries Ltd. for about $400 million, including debt.