SOUTHAVEN, Miss. (AP, abc24.com) - The DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven will become the Landers Center on Jan. 1.
The DeSoto County Convention and Visitors Bureau and Memphis-based Landers Auto Group agreed to a 10-year, $1 million deal that would rename the center.
Charles Tackett, chairman of the CVB board, says Landers will pay $100,000 for the first five years to secure naming rights. Payment in the sixth year escalates to $115,000 and each succeeding year an additional $1,000 is added.
The $40 million Civic Center opened in 2000, largely as a venue for local high schools to hold graduation ceremonies. It also is home to the Mississippi RiverKings, members of the Southern Professional Hockey League.
The adjoining DeSoto Civic Center Theatre, home of DeSoto Family Theatre, will now become the Landers Center Theatre.
