Westminster’s North Stadium renamed 1STBANK FIELD
North Stadium is no more. Well, in name. The stadium in Westminster has been renamed 1STBANK FIELD following a naming rights agreement with Adams 12 Five Star Schools.
The agreement — $1.2 million over 10 years — includes the purchase of a new digital LED sign which will be used to “display important information related to school and district operations,” according to the district. That includes upcoming games and events at 1STBANK FIELD.
1STBANK FIELD is located at 12500 Delaware St. in Westminster, and is visible from I-25.
“The stadium itself is right off the highway. So that sign is going to be something else,” said district athletic director Ed Hartnett. “It will be absolutely visible (from the highway). Coming down from Greeley, and that area, this is basically the entrance the to Metro area, so it does receive a large amount of traffic. The sign itself is going to be interesting, as well. Being an LED sign, we’re going to eventually sell advertisements on that sign. Potential revenue will be there in the sign itself.”
It’s the latest in a recent trend of public stadiums, following Sports Authority Stadium in Parker.
“Public schools are being forced to look at revenue in different ways,” Harnett said. “It’s kind of neat and different.”
The new deal is expected to net $821,000 “after factoring costs for purchasing and installing the sign, researching and identifying corporate sponsors, and annual utilities for the sign,” according to a release from the district.
The stadium will continue to be managed, operated and owned by Adams 12 Five Star Schools. Revenue from the naming rights deal will also be used in improving the district’s other athletic facilities — Five Star Stadium and the Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center.
“It’s going to affect our athletic sites directly, which will be good for the future,” Hartnett said.
In a statement, Mark Clark, the president of Adams 12 Five Star Schools board of education, said: “We’re fortunate to have strong partners who support student success in the Five Star District, from our parents to our staff and local businesses like FirstBank. This partnership further illustrates FirstBank’s commitment to investing in the local community.”
“We’re happy to sponsor the Five Star District and provide support to their activities and programs for all students and families,” Bob Deuschle, FirstBank’s executive vice president and North market president, said in a statement. “We’ve always been dedicated to improving local communities and public schools/school districts have been a key area of focus for our community investments and volunteering efforts. We’re proud we can support the organizations and initiatives that make Colorado a vibrant place to live.”
