Despite purchasing the naming rights for two bridges in downtown Chatham, a local telecommunications company has decided not to make any changes.
TekSavvy and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent announced on Friday that the Third and Fifth Street bridges will retain their existing names. However, a sign or plaque will be placed at each end of both bridges in the near future, stating that the structures are “Powered by TekSavvy.”
In 2022, TekSavvy entered into a 10-year agreement with Chatham-Kent to spend $100,000 annually for the naming rights to the Third Street Bridge and Fifth Street Bridge.
A “Name the Bridges” contest was also launched in May 2023, however, TekSavvy Chief Operating Officer Pierre Aube said the consensus from the community was that they wanted the bridges to keep their current monikers.
Aube called the two bridges a physical manifestation of the connection that exists between TekSavvy and the community.
“We always invest in Chatham-Kent and our community and the two bridges are vital infrastructure that are being used by Chatham [residents] all the time,” he said.
CK Mayor Darrin Canniff said all funds received through the sponsorship agreement are allocated to a municipal reserve. Some of the money has already been used to support arts, culture, and recreation within Chatham-Kent.
“It’s going to enhance our community,” said Canniff. “It’s meant to do things we couldn’t normally do in a budget. That’s what it’s providing.”
