Naming rights

Looks like the city has finally closed a deal for naming rights to at least one portion of the new Performing Arts Center.

The City of Durham announced today that the stage at the new Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC) will be named the Mildred & Dillard Teer Stage.

Pending City Council approval at its March 3 meeting, the $1.2 million contribution over 10 years for the stage naming rights is a first for the new center. "This is milestone for Durham as we have our first naming rights at the Durham Performing Arts Center associated with one of our best known Durham families,” Mayor William V. “Bill” Bell said. “The Teers have done so much to help Durham develop as a quality city and have given back to the community through their extensive civic service over the years. The generous financial commitment and the name association truly enhance our newest destination venue in downtown Durham."

According to Robb Teer, son of Dillard and Mildred Teer and spokesperson for the Teer family, the naming rights opportunity offers the Teer family a chance to honor their parent’s legacy in Durham. "We wanted to do something as a family to honor our parents, what they have meant to us and to the greater Durham area,” Teer said. “We could think of no better way to reflect their constant giving to the community than to make a gift in their honor to the beautiful new performing arts center in the heart of Durham."

Hopefully, we'll know soon who's actually going to be appearing on the Teer stage in the future.

UPDATE: Kevin points out that some naming rights for the DPAC have already been sold. So today's announcement is, at best, poorly worded.