In Richmond, Bill Fellin reports a partnership between the Science Museum of Virginia, the Virginia 529 College Savings Plan and Richmond Int'l Raceway will see the track add “exhibits, games and crafts for kids 12 and under in an area to be known as the Virginia 529 Kids Zone powered by the Science Museum of Virginia.” The branded area will “be near the Commonwealth Mall area at the track for NASCAR weekends at RIR, starting April 27.” Virginia 529 also announced “continued sponsorship of the fall Nationwide Series race at RIR, as well as the family sections of the stands.” It is the “fourth year of the sponsorship for Virginia 529” (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH, 4/12).
BANKER'S CLUB: The MLB Cardinals Tuesday announced that UMB Bank has joined as a naming-rights sponsor for Busch Stadium’s Championship Club. As part of the multiyear deal, the club will be rebranded the UMB Champions Club starting this season. The bank will be allowed to use the facilities to host both game day and special events. Branding will be featured in marketing elements and communication to UMB Champions Club ticket holders (Cardinals).
TAKING A DIP: In Minneapolis, Kevin Duchschere notes Target Field “may be smoke-free inside and out, but for the first time the ballpark is permitting fans to chew tobacco in public,” and “not even the players can do that.” The Twins “banned chewing tobacco in the ballpark's first two seasons.” However, Twins Exec Dir of Public Affairs Kevin Smith said the team is lifting that ban because "we found that not to be an issue.” Electronic cigarettes “will continue to be prohibited.” Target Field’s new chewing policy leaves “just one major-league ballpark, Safeco Field in Seattle, as tobacco-free.” However, Safeco “permits smoking in four areas near the gates” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 4/12).
EXTREME MAKEOVER: In Winnipeg, Ross Romaniuk notes a year after the NHL Jets’ arrival, a more “major-league appearance is in the works for the streets surrounding” the team’s arena. Roads near MTS Centre are “planned to be spruced up as part of a tax-based, revenue-generating project in a sports, hospitality and entertainment district (SHED) involving the public and private sectors.” The goal is an “initial expenditure” of about C$8.3M (WINNIPEG SUN, 4/12).
