Editor's Note: This story has been updated since its original posting to reflect a new vote by members of the Franklin County Commission, who now say they want to find a way to preserve the "TRAC" name on a facility for which HAPO Community Credit Union was seeking naming rights. The headline has not been changed in order to not break the link from the CUToday.info daily newsletter, but will be updated at a later date.
PASCO, Wash.–Local county commissioners have nixed a deal under which HAPO Community Credit Union would have paid $1 million for the exclusive naming rights to the Trade, Recreation and Agriculture Center, currently
known as TRAC. The center was to be renamed the HAPO Center once the deal was complete.
The agreement, which called for the credit union to pay in $100,000 installments, was rejected by the Franklin County Commission, members of which expressed reservations about the name change. The facility is owned by the county, and is located next door to Gesa Stadium, to which Gesa Credit Union bought the naming rights.
According to the Tri City Herald, HAPO was the only bidder when the county solicited proposals from potential TRAC partners in late 2018.
Deal Details
Under the deal, HAPO would have had exclusive naming rights to all TRAC facilities, including the parking lot, event space, ice pavilion, buildings and grounds, with the exception of the Franklin County RV Park at the property. The HAPO Center name would also have appeared on all signage, including a lighted freeway sign that fronts Interstate 182.
The deal would have further given HAPO the right to prevent its competitors from advertising within the property, as well, the Tri City Herald reported.