Virginia, MN… The City of Virginia is pleased to announce a partnership with locally owned Iron Trail Motors for the naming rights of Virginia’s new event center that has up till now been called the Miner’s Event and Convention Center, or MECC. Iron Trail Motors, the region’s Toyota and Chevrolet dealership has signed a $1.1 million, 20-year contract with the city to name the new venue the “Iron Trail Motors Event Center”.
“We’ve been looking for new ways to get more involved in our area and are excited to announce our partnership with the city as the naming sponsor of the brand-new Iron Trail Motors Event Center.” shared Brian Schacht, General Manager of Iron Trail Motors. “Our community has made a big investment in this project, one that is sure to become the focal point for activity in our region. We wanted to support this endeavor now and into the future as a way of giving back to a community that has supported Iron Trail Motors through the years.”
“I am super excited to have Iron Trail Motors step up to the plate to become an even more engaged community partner than they have been in the past,” shared Brian Silber, City of Virginia Parks & Recreation Director. “Iron Trail Motors has a long-standing reputation in Virginia as being not only a great car dealership but also a great community partner with their support of many different civic organizations,” continued Silber. “It is very fitting that Iron Trail Motors will be partnering with us for naming rights as historically Iron Trail Motors and the Miners Memorial Building hosted many events together, this once again shows how we are able to incorporate our history into our future.”
During the July 13th Virginia City Council meeting, City Councillors voted a resounding “Yes” on the partnership. Brian Schacht, Amanda O’Brien, and Brad Skytta from Iron Trail Motors presented a $1.1 million giant check to the City of Virginia. Securing a naming rights partner moves the city one step closer to completing the event center project, scheduled to open the week of September 20th.
“When we began looking at naming right opportunities, I personally wanted to end up with a name that didn’t necessarily sound like a business name,” said Silber. “I’ve always admired stadium names that fit such as Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati or Nationals Park in Washington DC. Both these stadiums are funded through Insurance Companies that have purchased naming right. Today we move forward with a name that is just as iconic and fitting as we introduce the Iron Trail Motors Event Center.”
The new Iron Trail Motors Event Center will feature two state-of-the-art hockey rinks, an event center with ballroom, meeting rooms, and a board room, as well as, ice bumper cars, workout studios, a fitness center, and an indoor walking path. “Many times, we have heard that it takes a village to raise a child, thanks to the generosity and community dedication of Iron Trail Motors our community will be able to raise generations of children in a state-of-the-art facility that will not break the bank for them personally”, shared Silber.
Activities for the Iron Trail Motors Event Center Grand Opening Celebration taking place through the week of September 20th will be announced soon.
