The Rec-Plex is now officially Western Financial Place.

City of Cranbrook, facility and Kootenay Ice officials gathered with Falkins Insurance and Western Financial Group owners and staff to commemorate the name change today, Sept. 4 in Cranbrook.

The brief ceremony held at the front doors to the facility cemented the 10-year partnership agreement signed between the city and Western Financial Group/Falkins, including naming rights and other sponsorship and usage commitments, totals $750,000, including an advance of $500,000.

“This is an historic day in the life of the East Kootenay’s” leading recreation facility, said Cranbrook Mayor Wayne Stetski.

The partnership with Western is “based on mutual respect and confidence,” he said, adding the city is “following in the footsteps of other B.C. communities” by establishing corporate sponsorship for a publically-owned facility.

The funds received and incoming will help run the facility, Stetski said, noting the partnership will reduce taxpayers’ burden with operating the 12-year-old complex. “The money will be put to good use,” he said.

“We look forward to sharing a bright future with the city. This is truly a great day,” said Scott Tannas, chief executive officer of Western Financial Group.

Western—an insurance and financial services company based in Alberta—won naming rights for the next 10 years and plans to work with the City of Cranbrook, the facility operators, and the company’s regional partner, Falkins Insurance Group (Falkins), to build on the longstanding tradition of providing the residents of Cranbrook and surrounding areas a first-class destination for entertainment, recreation, and community involvement, he said.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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