Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena may receive new name

Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena may receive a new name.

This comes after Mayor Lenny Curry and Brian E. Wolfburg, the CEO and President of VyStar Credit Union announced Thursday that a naming rights agreement has been reached.

According to the city of Jacksonville, legislation to enact the agreement has been filed.

Pending approval from the City Council, the arena may soon be called VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.

“In coordination with veteran leaders, my staff and VyStar, we have an agreement that is good for taxpayers and at the same time creates new program funding for veterans in our City,” Curry said. “This is a win for everyone involved, and I will work with the City Council to earn their approval.”

The naming rights agreement will also provide support for veterans such as a concessions donating program, allowing those who visit the arena to make a donation to an approved veteran program.

Discounts will also be provided for veterans and VyStar members on concessions, tickets and parking.

Retired Marine Len Loving will always remember his time in the military, but said it’s something others often forget.

“Sometimes veterans get pushed a little bit to the side,” Loving said.

He said any type of recognition goes along way, which is what makes the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena so special.

“It’s a means of saluting the veterans for what’s they’ve done over the past years,” he said.

In November Action News Jax was first to tell you the change to the naming rights was in the works.

According to newly filed legislation VyStar will pay $525,000 annually and the building will bear its name.

“I know there are a number of veterans that are 'pro' and a number of veterans that are 'con' in terms of the renaming,” Loving said.

He said he’s fine with the switch because it still includes "Veterans."

The agreement also provides discounts for veterans and support for their programs.

“Once everything is fleshed out and put out to the public as transparent as possible I think more people will understand what’s going on,” he said.

Cox Media Group