Leeway from Lloyd: Energy sector steps up again

ships and advertising.

The Provost Alberta arena is called Crescent Point Place Regional Activity Centre after the oil company, Crescent Point.

2017

The $5 million contribution by Cenovus Energy for the naming rights, construction and programming at the new event arena in Lloydminster is another example of how much positive impact oil and gas companies play at the community level in Western Canada.

The Cenovus contribution is the largest ever in Lloydminster reflecting the company’s 80 years of history in the heavy oil industry in the region.

The donation makes sense given the company employs about 2,000 employees and the families in the region who use these types of recreational facilities.

Many of those employees and those of other energy companies also volunteer countless hours to support sports, culture and education in the area along with all types of sponsor -

In my former travels as an oil and gas reporter, I saw firsthand the huge local impact the energy sector has on communities where they operate with naming rights etc. Unfortunately, that is usually overlooked in the grand scheme of public awareness, but it bears repeating.

It shouldn’t take an observer very long to note many other rinks in our city are named after oilfield companies along with the names of sector advertisers on rink boards and sports jerseys etc.

The Cenovus Energy Hub name on the arena will be a reminder of the community support Cenovus is generating.

It also emphasizes their intention to be a part of the regional economy for years to come signalling to other businesses that Lloyd is a stable and growing city.

The $5 million contribution includes $3 million to the community fundraising campaign to start construction of the $93.9 million facility this year.

It should stoke other businesses to jump on the fundraising and sponsorship bandwagon.

The name Cenovus Energy Hub is way better than Lloyd’s Igloo or Our Grand Central Rink, and there would be no money or pride generated in those. The official name says this is how important the oil and gas sector is in Western Canada. Hats off for dropping all those bucks for pucks.

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