Staff Report

LEWISTON – The Colisee Board of Directors will announce Monday that a Maine-based company has agreed to buy naming rights to the city-owned ice arena.

Board member Phil Nadeau said terms include a multi-year contract and retention of the word “Colisee” as part of the name. The company’s name will be added and the logo will change, Nadeau said.

He declined to name the company until Monday, but promised it would be “good news.” People will be pleased, he said. “It’s a company that believes in what we’ve done at the Colisee.”

After assuming ownership of the former Central Maine Civic Center in 2004, the city invested $1.5 million in renovations. Improvements included a three-floor glass facade, a third-floor party room and event space and a second-floor concession stand. A ticket counter, offices and a pro shop were installed on the the first floor.

The Colisee is home to the Lewiston Maineiacs, a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team.

The presence of the Maineiacs is one thing that influenced the company to buy naming rights, Nadeau said.

The city began the quest 18 months ago for a company that would agree to its terms. The initial terms included a 10-year commitment for a minimum of $75,000 per year. The Colisee board said it would consider any company willing to submit a proposal.

Officials announced in October 2005 that two companies were interested in the naming rights. Each was a national company with a significant local presence, Nadeau said at the time.

Monday’s announcement will take place at 2 p.m. at the Shipyard Lounge on the third floor of the Colisee.

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