Mayor Lenny Curry’s office announced this morning that Curry and Brian E. Wolfburg, the president and CEO of VyStar Credit Union, have reached an agreement for VyStar to purchase naming rights for the city-owned Veterans Memorial Arena.

The deal would see the sixteen-year-old arena renamed as VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. It also includes new initiatives geared toward veterans, such as the establishment of a concessions donation program that would allow patrons to donate to veteran programs while making a purchase. The arena will also begin offering discounts on concessions, tickets, and parking for veterans and VyStar members, and veterans will be given the opportunity to purchase tickets for events before they’re available to the general public.

“VyStar will be honored to have its name alongside our brave veterans’ on the arena,” said Wolfburg. “Both of our missions, to serve and recognize our great military, could not be more aligned. Based on VyStar’s deep roots in the military community, past and present, we can’t imagine a more suitable naming partnership.”

VyStar was originally known as Jax Navy Federal Credit Union and began as a specialized credit union at NAS Jax back in 1952. It still maintains its branch location at NAS Jax and is a long-standing supporter of local military personnel and veterans.

The naming rights deal must be approved by city council prior to being enacted. Mayor Curry sent a request to city council to execute the agreement; the ordinance was co-sponsored by council members Tommy Hazouri, Terrance Freeman, Randy White, and Bill Gulliford.

“This is a win for everyone involved, and I will work with the City Council to earn their approval,” said Curry.

The ordinance will be formally introduced at council’s meeting on February 12. A public hearing on the matter is set for February 26.