A computer rendering of the Allina Health Gymnasium located at New Ulm High School. Allina Health was recently granted the naming rights for the gym. As part of the agreement The Allina Health logo will be placed at two location on the gym floor.

NEW ULM – Independent School District 88 is moving forward with the naming rights agreement with Allina Health for the New Ulm High School gymnasium.

The school is underway of transitioning the signage and branding to “Allina Health Gymnasium.” Superintendent Sean Koster said the floor estimates to have the new Allina Health logos on the gym floor by early August. Above each entrances to the gym, a vinyl sign will be installed reading: Allina Health Gymnasium. The goal is to have the new signage in place before students return in the fall.

The agreement also requires that all programs or sporting events held in the gym acknowledge the new name for the gym.

In May, the school board approved the naming rights contract with Allina Health. In exchange for the naming rights, Allina Health will provide in-kind athletic trainer services. The in-kind donation is valued at at $131,835 over 10 years.

For around 30 years, New Ulm Medical Center’s Sports Medicine and Orthopedics Team provided athletic training services to the school. For a time, these services were offered for free but as New Ulm Medical Center saw increased financial pressures, the school was asked to pay a percentage of the fee.

Initially, New Ulm Public Schools were asked to pay 8-10% of the cost for athletic trainer services but the share the cost continued to increase. For the 2024/2025 school year, the school paid 50% of the cost. If the naming rights agreement had not been made, next year Allina was going to ask the school to pay 80% of the cost for the services.

School Board member Jonathan Schiro praised the agreement. He said “Allina has been a great partner for as long as I can remember.”

“This partnership not only strengthens our connection with Allina, but also provides financial savings on our athletic contract,” Superintendent Sean Koster said. “I am really grateful for our partnership with Allina.”