Approving the Naming Rights Agreement between the City of Rochester and Knutson Construction for Knutson Field at the Rochester Sportsplex

High Level Promotions and Sports Academy have been negotiating with Knutson Construction Services, Inc. on behalf of the City of Rochester on the attached Knutson Field Naming Rights Agreement for the Rochester Sportsplex.  The agreement has been reviewed and refined by the City Attorney's office and City Administration teammates. The agreement was also reviewed within the context of the tax-exempt bonds used to fund the Rochester Sportsplex Project.

Knutson Construction Services, Inc. would hold the naming rights to Field 7 at the Rochester Sportsplex, proposed to be marketed as “Knutson Field at the Rochester Sportsplex” and applied across facility references, official communications, wayfinding, website, digital presence, and the named field scoreboard.   The field naming rights agreement term is for ten years.  Knutson Construction Services, Inc. will pay $22,500 upon execution of the agreement which will cover the first three years of the term.  3% escalation will be used for the field naming rights fee for subsequent years. Signage maintenance and approvals provisions are also outlined in the agreement.

The full value of this agreement is $84,106.72.  Per the Rochester Sportsplex Facility Management Services Agreement, a 20% commission of each installment will be paid to Sports Academy.  The net revenue to the City will be $67,285.37.

The Rochester Sportsplex project will provide opportunities for the community to utilize the facility. Trails for walking, running, and biking, connecting to the funded and planned Willow Creek trail. Outdoor recreation promotes health and wellness, with well-documented benefits for physical and mental health. Activities in nature improve cardiovascular health, mobility, flexibility, and reduce the risk of health issues. Designing the facility to be accessible ensures these benefits are available to everyone, regardless of age or ability, creating an inclusive and healthy space for all.

February 6, 2023: Council Meeting - Agreement with ISG for Professional Services to Further Inform the RSRC Local Option Sales Tax Proposed Project Approved.
March - June 2023 - Community Working Group Process
July 24, 2023: Council Meeting - Gaps Analysis, Community Engagement, Preliminary Design Program, and Projected Future Operations and Maintenance for the RSRC report.
July 24, 2023: Council Meeting - Adopted the sales tax extension ballot language
November 7, 2023 - City Special Election (Voter Passage of Local Sales Tax)
January 29, 2024: Council Study Session - Local Sales Tax Update provided to City Council February 21, 2024: Council Meeting - First Reading for Local Sales Tax Implementation
March 4, 2024: Council Meeting -Request for Proposals (RFP) for operations and programming planning activities for the RSRC
March 18, 2024: Council Meeting - Local Sales Tax Renewal Implementation
May 20, 2024: Council Meeting - Approval of Operator Planning Professional Services June 10, 2024:
Council Meeting - Executive Session - Property sites for RSRC project discussed
August 2024: Council Meeting - Request for Proposals (RFP) for Design professional services
August 5, 2024: Council Meeting - Assignment and Assumption of Purchase Agreements for the three properties under consideration for the RSRC approved
September 23, 2024: Council Meeting - Request for Qualifications (RFQ) / Request for Proposals (RFP) for Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) professional services
October 14, 2024: Executive Session - Property sites for RSRC project discussed.
October 21, 2024 Council Meeting - Approval of Design Services
November 18, 2024: Council Meeting - Approval of CMAR Services
February 3, 2025: Real Estate Purchase and Design Direction
March - May 2025 - RSRC Community Working Group Process
June 2, 2025 - Rezoning and Annexation of RSRC Property
July 28, 2025 - Study session - Operating Model Discussion
October 6, 2025: Council Meeting – Authorized Bid Award
November 18, 2025 - Neighborhood Informational Meeting
November 17, 2025 - RCTC meeting
December 8, 2025 - Authorization of Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Amendment - Approved
December 8, 2025 - Approval of Sportsplex Operating Agreement

January 21, 2026 - RSRC Final Plat - Approved

April 6, 2026 - Contract Award for Testing Services - Approved
June 1, 2026 - Phase 2 Indoor Options Next Steps - Partially Approved

June 1, 2026 - Approved Resolution to Set Sale of General Obligation Sales Tax Revenue Bonds

June 15, 2026: Council Meeting - Contract Amendment - Approved

July 6, 2026 - Sale of General Obligation Sales Tax Revenue Bonds, Series 2026A and Providing for their Issuance - Approved

July 20, 2026 - Awarded Contract for Rochester Sportsplex Playground Equipment Purchase

The Rochester Sportsplex field naming rights agreement revenue will be deposited in the Rochester Sportsplex operating account.  The naming rights revenue along with other partnership and sponsorship revenue were contemplated in the Sportsplex Pro Forma and will help the annual operating budget achieve the goal to be net positive. The Sportsplex Pro Forma scenarios contemplated an annual partnership/sponsorship amount of $200,000-$325,000 total for all partnerships.

No alternative action recommended at this time.