CHI Health secures naming rights of CenturyLink Center Omaha

You’ll soon be going to concerts at a familiar venue with a brand new name.

Together the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA) and CHI Health announce a new naming rights partnership for the current CenturyLink Center Omaha Area and Convention Center. As of September 1^st, the building will be called the CHI Health Center Omaha.

“We view this as an incredible opportunity to invest in the community,” said Cliff Robertson, MD, CHI Health CEO. “The opportunity to use this building aligns perfectly with our mission to serve and to build healthy communities.”

The search for the building’s new naming rights partner began in January as MECA approached the end of its current 15 year contract.

Roger Dixon, MECA President & CEO, said CHI Health’s strong local ties made for the perfect partnership. “We’re happy to team-up with an organization that values this community as much as we do,” Dixon said, “We look forward to a long and successful collaboration.”

The new naming rights agreement is for $23.5 million over the course of a 20 year term. Funding for the new CHI Health Center Omaha will come from the marketing budget, and does not pull dollars from other areas of health care operations.

You can expect more of the same top-tier concerts, large-scale conventions and nationally renowned events at the CHI Health Center Omaha. But for CHI Health, the new partnership provides new opportunities to advance their mission of service. As one of the state’s largest employers (12,000 employees strong), the health system will use the Center to give back to its employees, patients, neighbors and its academic partner, Creighton University.

Here are just some of the events being considered:

• Sidewalk marathon walking challenge
• Health and dental screenings for at-risk populations
• Dementia education and resources for caregivers
• A blessing of area caregivers and health care providers
• A wide array of health education for the public

MECA and CHI Health are eager to partner up and grateful to continue serving the community together. Both parties look forward to the opportunities that will arise as a result of this exciting new union.

About CHI Health:

CHI Heath is a regional health network with a unified mission: nurturing the healing ministry of the Church while creating healthier communities. Headquartered in Omaha, the combined organization consists of 14 hospitals, two stand-alone behavioral health facilities, more than 150 employed physician practice locations and 12,000 employees in Nebraska and southwestern Iowa. CHI Health is a not-for-profit health system and gave back more than $191.4 million to communities like Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney and Grand Island and beyond in the fiscal year 2017.

CHI Health is part of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), a national nonprofit health system based in Englewood, Colorado.

About MECA:

The Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority, also known as MECA, is an authority that builds and manages public venues. It operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. MECA was formed after a vote of approval from the citizens of Douglas County in May of 2000. Formal operations commenced on August 25, 2000 with the signing of a 99-year Lease and Development Agreement with the City of Omaha. MECA is overseen by a five person Board of Directors. The Mayor of Omaha and the Omaha City Council alternate appointments to the Board.