Removal of Wells Fargo’s name from Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines will begin next week as the facility prepares to become Casey’s Center beginning July 1.
Ankeny-based Casey’s General Stores has purchased the naming rights, for which Wells Fargo’s contract is expiring June 30. Crews will start removing the old signage on Monday, June 9, the managers of the Polk County-owned arena said in a news release Wednesday.
Casey’s name also will be painted on the top of the roof, where it will be visible to aircraft passing over downtown Des Moines.
Also as part of the change, arena concessions stands will offer Casey’s snacks and pizza and new concourse signs will be added, and a new Casey’s Grab & Go concession stand will be added outside section 124 across from the stairs at the south entrance to the arena. Casey’s, with 2,900 locations in 20 states, is the third-largest convenience store chain in the country.
“With thousands of team members and over 500 stores in Iowa, this is a huge moment for Casey’s, our team and our community,” Casey’s CEO Darren Rebelez said in the news release. “We are thrilled to see Casey’s Center becoming a reality and can’t wait to see fans enjoying Casey’s pizza, and the next level fan experience for years to come.”
In another change of naming rights, the adjoining meeting and exhibition space in the Iowa Events Center known as Hy-Vee Hall became the EMC Expo Center in January.
Before the arena opened in 2005, Wells Fargo paid $11.5 million for the naming rights for 20 years. Casey’s will pay $18.3 million to have the rights for 10 years.
“The upcoming transformation to Casey’s Center marks an exciting new chapter for the arena and the community,” Chris Connolly, Iowa Events Center general manager, said in the news release. “This is more than a name change—it’s an opportunity to enhance the fan experience and celebrate a partnership rooted in Iowa pride.”
Philip Joens covers retail and real estate for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached at 515-284-8184 or pjoens@registermedia.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Wells Fargo Arena renaming as Casey’s Center to begin next week
Reporting by Philip Joens, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
