Local internet provider Start.ca will have an even bigger presence at Budweiser Gardens.
It was announced Tuesday that the RBC Theatre will be renamed the Start.ca Performance Stage at Budweiser Gardens under a new naming rights agreement with Spectra Venue Management. The name change takes effect December 1.
"We talked to a number of different businesses that we thought might be interested, but Start.ca rose to the top. It's a great partnership," said Brian Ohl, general manager of Budweiser Gardens. "We like to be involved with businesses and companies that align with us in terms of values and Start.ca certainly does that. Their dedication to the community is unsurpassed."
Currently, the RBC Theatre is used for events at Budweiser Gardens that attract a smaller audience than the full arena. It seats approximately 4,000 people and is used for touring Broadway shows, smaller concerts, comedy acts, and family shows.
"With the new name, the excitement and what Start.ca brings to us as a partner, I think it will help us in attracting more entertainment to the venue," added Ohl.
The exact cost of the new naming right agreement between Start.ca and Spectra is not being released.
"It was very fair [agreement]. It is over a five year period and we do have the first option to renew, which is something we are very excited about and intend to utilize as well," said Janet Smith, marketing manager at Start.ca. "One of our core values is community and getting involved. We do a lot within the community but we really hadn't tapped into the theatre, arts, and music area of sponsorship yet. So it was really nice for us to be approached by Budweiser Gardens and Spectra with this opportunity... we are very excited about it."
According to a release from Budweiser Gardens, the Start.ca Performance Stage will make its debut on December 3 at 7:30 p.m. with the show, Hip Hop Nutcracker.