The New Ulm Park and Recreation at 122 S. Garden Street could have a new name. Tuesday The Park and Recreation Commissions recommended an agreement to the New Ulm City Council to grant SouthPoint Financial Credit Union the naming rights for the facility.

NEW ULM – The New Ulm Recreation Center could receive a new name.

Tuesday, the New Ulm Park and Recreation Commission reviewed an agreement between the City of New Ulm and SouthPoint Financial Credit Union for naming rights of the facility.

Last year, the Park and Recreation Commission and the New Ulm City Council approved a professional services contract with Front Burner Sports to secure naming rights for facilities operated by the Park and Recreation Department.

Park and Rec Director Joey Schugel said the focus for naming rights partnerships is on the Civic Center, German Park Amphitheater and Recreation Center. Early in the process SouthPoint expressed interest in the naming rights for the Recreation Center.

The Park and Recreation Commission was presented with a 15-year naming rights agreement with SouthPoint for the facility. SouthPoint would pay $45,000 a year for naming rights and would have its name added to all exterior and interior signs. In addition, SouthPoint members would receive a discount on Rec. Center memberships.

Commissioner Greg Glover asked how this discount would be funded.

Schugel said the goal is this discount could bring new members to the Rec. Center, but said there is language in the agreement that would allow either party to re-negotiate the discounts if needed.

Commissioner Anne Earl asked if the signage to the gymnastics facility would be impacted by this change.

Schugel said there would be no change to the gymnastic signage as this was technically a facility within a facility. For identification and emergency purposes the exterior gymnastics signage would need to remain the same.

Commissioner and City Councilor David Christian said he supported the agreement but asked if a new sign variance would be needed if the overall signage space increased.

Schugel said the sign variance language was provided to their consultant. The goal would be to fit the new signage within current zoning requirements.

Commissioner Jeff Gulden thanked SouthPoint for partnering on this agreement.

“We really want to thank you for stepping forward and being one of the frontrunners,” Gulden said. “I am sure other people will come forward on the other buildings because of this.”

Gulden asked if the payments would go to the city or the Park and Recreation Department.

Schugel said the payments would eventually go back into the Park and Rec. operating budget to offset costs.

Commissioner Jim Jensen made a motion recommending the agreement with a second from Christian. It was unanimously approved. The naming rights recommendation will come before the New Ulm City Council for final approval.