The Pacific Coliseum, now home to the PWHL's Vancouver Goldeneyes, is looking for a new naming partner for the building, a move that will generate revenue and draw new attention to the now vibrant facility.
The Pacific Coliseum was packed for the Vancouver Goldeneyes' home opener hitting a record mark of 14,958 fans. The once nearly dormant building was brought back to vibrant life for the PWHL, and now, the Pacific National Exhibition is looking to capitalize off the women's hockey craze that has taken over North America by accepting offers for naming rights for the Coliseum.
First opened in 1968, the Pacific Coliseum has held the same name for more than half a century, including as the home to the NHL's Vancouver Canucks and later WHL's Vancouver Giants.
The venue has also hosted some of the biggest events in Vancouver history, from the 2010 Winter Olympics, to boxing matches involving the likes of Muhammed Ali, and concerts by performers including Bruce Springsteen, Led Zeppelin, and The Grateful Dead.
Heading into the launch of the PWHL in Vancouver, the PNE, a non-profit run by the City of Vancouver, invested roughly $6 million into upgrades and renovations for the building.
Selling naming rights to the facility would help recoup that cost. The PNE is also working to complete a new outdoor amphitheatre on the grounds, with the price tag for that project nearly tripling from the originally proposed $64.8 million up to $183.7 million.
The PNE is also looking for a new naming rights partner for the neighbouring Agridome, which is the Goldeneyes' practice facility.