Maple Leaf lands sports complex naming rights

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This article was published 20/09/2023 (872 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon’s new outdoor sports facility will be known as the Maple Leaf Foods Sports Complex after the company signed a 10-year naming rights partnership with the city.

“The City of Brandon approached Maple Leaf Foods with this opportunity, and we felt it aligned with our commitment to the community, knowing that the new sports facility would benefit our team members and their families,” Maple Leaf Foods Brandon plant site leader Jim Brown told the Sun. “Coming out of COVID-19, we wanted to support the city in a way that all community members could benefit from.”

Brown said that sustainability is in the company’s DNA and it is more than just something it talks about, adding that it’s central to every aspect of its business — from the food it makes to the communities in which it lives and works.

“Our sustainability commitments guide all our decisions and help us build a better food industry. We have a plan for our future and are excited to partner with the City of Brandon to invest in this incredible new facility.”

Celebrating 25 years in the Brandon community in 2024, Maple Leaf Foods employs more than 2,200 team members at its world-class pork “super plant” in Brandon.

“Maple Leaf Foods is a proud member of the Brandon community, and we employ more than 2,200 people, including multiple generations of families,” Brown said. “We have solid roots in this community and want to continue to be an employer of choice among its residents.”

In addition to the partnership, he said the company actively engages in various community programs and initiatives in Brandon.

Some of the supports, he said, include the Food for Thought breakfast program in schools, Habitat for Humanity and several local charity events through product donations and sponsorship where aligned.

“We also contribute to major events such as the Provincial Exhibition, Royal Manitoba Winter Fair and many more. These events benefit the community and our team members, and we will continue to support where possible,” he added.

Located strategically at First Street and Veterans Way in Brandon, this project — which the city says is on track to be completed by early 2025 — aims to transform the sporting landscape in Brandon and its neighbouring regions.

“The complex will feature a FIFA-sized soccer field, up to eight 11-a-side soccer fields, a dedicated nine-a-side soccer field, a cricket pitch, a clubhouse completed with changing rooms and washrooms, and an extensive 3.6-kilometre network of pathways,” Mayor Jeff Fawcett stated. “The City of Brandon is pleased to enter this partnership with Maple Leaf Foods to ensure that the Maple Leaf Foods Sports Complex will be viable for years to come.”

Fawcett explained that Maple Leaf Foods is an avid supporter of our community, so it is only fitting that the facility be named the Maple Leaf Foods Sports Complex.

“The much-anticipated complex would not be possible without the support from our many partners, including the provincial and federal governments,” he said. “The Maple Leaf Foods Sports Complex will provide a great resource to the residents of Brandon and our surrounding region.”

The mayor said that the sale of naming rights not only brings Maple Leaf Foods closer to the Brandon community but also provides the city with alternate funding sources to enhance the quality of life for residents in Brandon and the surrounding area.

“It presents an opportunity for businesses and organizations to partner with the City of Brandon and promote their brand while supporting vital community development initiatives,” he said. “The partnership between Maple Leaf Foods and the City of Brandon reflects a shared commitment to sustainability, community well-being and the pursuit of a brighter future for all residents.”

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