Some naming rights still available for MCC Events Center

Construction continues on the McCook Community College Events Center. (Bruce Baker/McCook Daily Gazette)

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Area businesses and residents alike have shown their support and enthusiasm for the McCook Community College Events Center by purchasing naming rights to be placed on anything from rooms of the facility to gymnasium seats.

Officials expect the events center to not only make MCC more attractive to area athletes and provide opportunity for an expansion of programs at the college, but to offer potential for conferences and sports tournaments that will benefit the community directly.

The $3.2 million naming rights for the entire McCook Events Center went unclaimed, as have the similarly priced rights for the North Platte Community College Health and Science Center which is also under construction, but many of the other naming opportunities have already been reserved.

A group of McCook National Bank entities have combined for $500,000 in naming reservations, to include the "McCook National Bank Walking Track" and the "MNB Financial Group Weight Room." The Volentine Family Foundation donated $500,000 to dedicate the lobby of the events center "In Loving Memory of Myatt and Genevieve Volentine" and Community Hospital put forth $100,000 for the "Community Hospital Cardiovascular Room," to name a few.

The $10 million events center campaign has raised more than $8.9 million in pledges and cash, combined with the $500,000 endowment to maintain the building, and about $550,000 remains to be raised.

According to Janet Werkmeister, director of administration for the McCook College Foundation, many opportunities are still available for those interested in purchasing naming rights at the events center, including some that recently became available as construction and planning progressed. "We are still campaigning for those last dollars," said Werkmeister.

Naming reservations for more than 100 gymnasium seats have already been made, priced at $1,000 each, and 25 parking spaces have also been reserved, priced at $500 each. Remaining options range from the naming of a locker room at $50,000 to having your name engraved in a brick near the main entrance for $250.

Interested parties may contact the McCook College Foundation at (308) 345-5233.