By Curtis D. Tucker, Enid Buzz | Tuesday, June 14, 2016
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ENID, Okla. - Enid Event Center officially became Central National Bank Center with a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting and name introduction on Tuesday, June 14. The ceremony kicked off a week-long celebration which will be followed by Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo in concert on Thursday, June 16, and Alabama: Southern Drawl Tour on Saturday, June 18.
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The audience was primarily made up of Chamber members, Central National Bank employees, City Commissioners, business owners and media. Also in attendance were employees from Spectra and several active citizens.
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Spectra’s Kevin Boryczki, General Manager of the Central National Bank Center, conducted the festivities and introduced the guest speakers. He said, “Central National Bank is a founding partner of the Enid Event Center and we are proud to put their name on this facility.”
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Brud Baker, Chairman of the Board of CNB, thanked everyone involved for the work that they had done and their vision. Baker said, "I will honestly say I didn't dream it could be as successful as it was, so they were right, I was wrong and my hats off to them."
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Central National Bank celebrated its 100th anniversary about three years ago and their intention at the time was to commission H. Holden to do a life size bronze that they were going to give to the city as a thank you for everything that the city has done for the bank. Unfortunately a fire broke out and destroyed the bronze itself and so they were never able to complete the project. Good came from bad and that left open the opportunity to name the facility after the bank, which Baker described as a better comment to the banks commitment to Enid.
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Mayor Bill Shewey was pinch hitting for City Manager Jerald Gilbert who was unable to attend. Mayor Shewey said, "Today, as Gerald would say, is a win-win-win situation. A win situation for Central National Bank, a win situation for the City of Enid, a win for the Enid Event Center."
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Keller Taylor, former EECCH General Manger, returned from Colorado to address the crowd. Taylor told the audience, "We're also striving to make these facilities financially self-sufficient. And a decision like seeking a naming rights partner is not done lightly."
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The Enid Chamber of Commerce then cut the ribbon and everyone was invited into the facility for food and refreshments. Everyone in attendance was given a set of free tickets to the Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo concert on Thursday night.
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Spectra by Comcast Spectacor had earlier announced the expanded 10-year partnership with Central National Bank and Trust whereby the facility is now known as the Central National Bank Center. Former Manager, Keller Taylor, confirmed that the naming rights would bring in $1.3 million over the 10-year contract. Central National Bank is also funding all new signage and logo changes throughout the facility.
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Boryczki explained that the deal not only changes the name of the event center but now combines it with the ballrooms in the former Convention Hall to be known as a single facility, the Central National Bank Center. The Grand Ballroom at Central National Bank Center now designates the large ballroom. The facilities new website is www.cnbcenter.com.
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Photos: Curtis D. Tucker | Shaggy Duck Photography
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Central National Bank Center Ribbon Cutting
