Goodbye Bostwick Community Centre, hello StarTech.com Community Centre, YMCA, and Library.
StarTech.com and the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario announced on Wednesday the London technology firm will be taking over the naming rights of the southwest London facility on Southdale Road west of Wonderland Road.
Under the $1.5 million sponsorship deal, the community recreation facility will drop its Bostwick Community Centre handle in favour of the StarTech.com moniker.
“StarTech.com is passionate about supporting the community and we believe it drives our success," StarTech.com CEO Paul Seed said in a statement. "We are particularly proud to sponsor the YMCA right here in London, StarTech.com’s hometown. StarTech.com is committed to enable and build an even healthier, stronger and united London, for this generation and the next.”
The sponsorship agreement will be in place for 15 years. Money from the deal will be put towards "highest priority programs and services," according to YMCA officials. This includes the Y’s subsidized memberships for low-income families.
“Although many of the social issues we are seeing pre-date the pandemic, now more than ever we need to ensure equal access to health and wellness, to help people to rebuild connections, confidence, and a sense of belonging,” said Mayor Ed Holder. “This partnership will help our community do exactly that.”
The Bostwick Community Centre, a joint venture between the City of London, the YMCA, and the London Public Library, opened to the public in 2018. The $55-million facility includes a 25 metre indoor pool, two NHL-size ice pads, a YMCA fitness centre, a community kitchen, meeting rooms, public spaces, and a library branch. It is the YMCA's largest facility.
StarTech.com was founded in London in 1985, manufacturing a broad portfolio of connectivity accessories, such as laptop docking stations, audio-visual products and networking products, for IT professionals. It currently has operations in 23 countries worldwide, across five continents.
