Facilities up for naming rights for G-A MAXX donors

Naming rights are available within the Greencastle-Antrim School District, and for $1 million, the outdoor athletic complex can be yours.

The school board approved a request from the district June 16, on behalf of the Greencastle-Antrim Education Foundation, to establish a fund within the foundation called G-A MAAX. The purpose of the fund would be to accept donations to offset the expense of two athletic fields, track repair, replacement of lighting and other enhancements.

"It's to meet the request of the auditors," explained superintendent Dr. C. Gregory Hoover. "And for people to get a tax deduction."

Greencastle's capital campaign arm, G-A MAAX, is in the early stages of organization, and one of those factors includes obtaining non-profit status. That can be done under the umbrella of G-AEF, said Hoover.

He and the fundraising committee compiled a list of naming opportunities, all of which would have to be approved by the board before a name would be assigned following a contribution. At the top of the list was having the entire athletic complex named after a donor. Should that occur, all literature, announcements and publications would include the donor's name. The complex includes the main and north fields, baseball and softball field areas, stadium seating, six-lane track and field event areas.

The name Kaley Field is not for sale.

Hoover said any naming right for a donation $20,000 or less, would be in effect for 10 years. After that, it would stay in the same name unless another person or business wanted to purchase it. If any donor had a name change during the 10 years, the buyer would be responsible for new signage to reflect the change.

Donations for the stadium would be payable to G-A MAAX and donations for other school needs would be to G-AEF. The donors could choose if they wanted something named after them.

The opportunities range from something as grand as the stadium for $500,000, to the middle school cardio room for $4,000. It spans many interests, such as the high school gymnasium for $250,000 to the elementary school library for $30,000 to the primary school lobby for $10,000. Then there is the middle school computer room for $7,000 and any nurse's suite for $7,500 or a classroom for $5,000.

Hoover said they tried to think of everything someone could be interested in, and patterned some choices after what colleges do. In all cases, the donor would direct how the money was spent, so even if $5,000 put a name on the wrestling mats, the money could go to the capital campaign.

Among the 62 naming opportunities, a few more of the options for sale are: Kaley Field scoreboard, press box or concession stand, $75,000; high school auditorium, $250,000; art rooms, $7,500; or administrative offices, $5,000.