SMR launches naming, logo contest

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Officials of Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch are hoping East County residents will think big and help get the ball rolling for the company’s new sports complex.

On Feb. 1, the company launched a contest to name and design a logo for the 22-field sports complex it is constructing adjacent to the Lakewood Ranch Post Office.

“We really wanted to make it a collaborative community endeavor,” said Candice McElyea, SMR’s director of marketing and public relations. “We thought how much more fun would it be to make (a contest out of it?). We have so many great artists here.”

From now until to March 1, SMR will be accepting submissions for both the facility’s name and its logo, which will be used on all signage and marketing efforts. The contest is open to professionals, amateurs and students nationwide.

McElyea said competitors can enter logos and names separately or in coordination with one another. Individuals also can submit as many entries as they wish.

“We’re looking for any and all suggestions,” McElyea said. “We’re hoping that it kind of fits in with all the logos we have for our different entities, but we’re looking for something edgy and fun, too. We are open for all ideas.”

Winners will be announced at a press conference in March, and each will be awarded cash prizes — a $2,000 Visa gift card to the logo winner and a $1,000 Visa gift card to the name winner.

“This logo and name will be everywhere,” McElyea said.

McElyea said the March deadline will give SMR just enough time to use the designs for signage, brochures and other projects in preparation for the facility’s anticipated opening in May.

The sports complex, now under construction immediately east of the Lakewood Ranch Post Office, will house 22 full-sized, mixed use fields for soccer, lacrosse and other amateur sports, and will host amateur and professional sporting tournaments, events, camps and clinics.

Eventually, the facility may also include baseball fields, a concession area and stadium seating, among other amenities.

“We really want the community to be involved,” McElyea said. “We’re looking for everybody to throw their hat in the ring.”

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

CONTEST GUIDELINES
Contest runs Feb. 1 to March 1. Entries for a logo design for the complex or a name for it should be submitted to [email protected] or mailed in to Marketing at 14400 Covenant Way, Lakewood Ranch, 34202 during that time.

Submissions will not be returned and acceptance of a prize — a $2,000 Visa gift card for the logo winner and a $1,000 Visa gift card for the name winner — constitutes a sale of all rights of ownership and use in the winning name and/or logo.

Entries will be judge by a committee of SMR employees.