Name a Building, Property or Park

Name a Building, Property or Park

The naming and re-naming of interior spaces, portions or elements of municipal buildings, properties and parks are important for public awareness, promotion and recognition. There are two types of naming or re-naming that can take place:

Names in Honour of a Group or Individual (Honourific Naming)

  • A request is made by a community group/organization to recognize a group or an individual's outstanding accomplishments, involvement or work in the local community. 

New Park Development 

  • New neighbourhood parks are created and named based on geographical association. No public consultation is required and City staff will select an appropriate name for Council's consideration.
  • If there is a request for a component within the park to be named (for example a gazebo), then the guidelines for honourific naming apply. 

Who can request the naming of a building, property or park?

You must be a recognized community/service group or organization, rather than an individual or affiliated group/organization. 

What are the policies around naming a building, property or park?

  • Names of municipal facilities will not be named after elected officials currently in office. 
  • We have a system for assessing an individual’s contribution to either their community or their neighbourhood.  This determines what type of facility can be named and the type of information you will need to include in your application. 

Assessment for Naming a Facility

Area Impacted by the Individual’s Contributions Types of Facilities that can be Named Information Needed in Application

Neighbourhood

An area that provides services and amenities in a specific locality within Greater Sudbury to a small group of citizens (for example, Hillcrest neighbourhood in Lively)
  • Accessory use of a public building (for example, outdoor rink)
  • Neighbourhood park (meets the recreational needs of the immediate neighbourhood)
  • Acknowledgements reflect the contributions made by an individual or organization in a specific neighbourhood.

Community

An area that provides services and amenities to an area or district of Greater Sudbury that may encompass several neighbourhoods and benefit a large group of citizens (for example, Val Caron)
  • Indoor building features (meeting rooms, dressing rooms, corridors, squares, fountains and more)
  • Community parks (as well as walkways or gazebos, for example, Bell Park) that provide supportive facilities for active recreation.
  • Acknowledgments reflect the contributions made by an individual or organization in the community and,
  • Contributions may be recognized throughout the City of Greater Sudbury.

Naming Policy

The following Naming Principles and Priorities will be used with our assessment system to consider a honourific name:

  • Names must not be  duplicated or so similar that they create confusion in emergency response situations
  • Names may place the element of the building, property or park in geographical context to reflect significant ecological or natural resource features.
  • Names may reflect the purpose or use of the element within the building, property or park.
  • Names convey a sense of place and community and celebrate the distinguishing characteristics of the neighbourhood or community.
  • Names are understandable, recognizable and explainable to citizens and respect the values in regards to history, heritage and culture of the neighbourhood or community.
  • Names reflect an individual or organization's significant contributions to public life in general.
  • Names reflect an individual or organization with such extraordinary prominence and lasting distinction that no other individuals, families or organizations can come forward and suggest alternatives.

Naming a Municipal Facility or Property

A municipal facility or property may be named if an individual/organization makes a donation of more than 35% of the total capital contributions towards a new or redeveloped facility/ property.

In this case, the request for naming may be brought to Council for approval without needing to follow the typical process of the Building, Property and Park Naming Policy.

Apply to Name a Building, Property or Park

Step 1: Submit an application

Your application needs to include:

  • A permission letter from the organization, individual or family member for the proposed name.
  • A deposit of $900. This is to help cover the costs of advertisement, and the price may vary depending on the cost of advertisement.
  • Background information outlying the reason for the request.
  • Biographical information.
  • Documentation such as media clippings, petitions and letters from organizations and individuals providing support for the request.

Step 2: Staff and Stakeholder Feedback and Initial Review

The application form will be forwarded to:

  • the appropriate lead department,
  • Mayor and all members of Council,
  • the appropriate applicable City departments,

Comments on the suitability of the application will be gathered and sent to the lead staff member.

Initial Review by Committee of Council

  • All honourific naming and renaming applications will be considered initially by the appropriate Committee of Council (Community Services or Operations Committee).
  • The Committee will review the application form and documentation along with comments from City departments to determine if the requirements for naming are satisfied.
  • The lead staff will help you decide if a formal naming ceremony is planned and inform you of the costs of establishing the name including advertising, signage or a special event.
  • At this point you must pay all funds in order to proceed.

Step 3: Community Consultation

Advertising for Community Consultation

  • Information about the naming will be sent to City Council, City of Greater Sudbury senior management, Community Action Networks (CANs), key stakeholders and the facility involved in the application.
  • All requests for naming will be advertised in local media with information about the public meeting;
  • A news release will be issued and information will be posted on the City's website and other social media formats. All promotion will be done in both English and French.
  • Public comments must be received by 4:30 p.m. 30 days from the notice being issued to residents.

Public Meeting

  • A public meeting will be held 14 days after the notice has been advertised in the local media.
  • The meeting will be scheduled to allow for the greatest number of the public to attend.
  • The meeting will occur in the community and as close to the space or element of the building, property or park as possible.
  • The lead staff person will facilitate the meeting and gather written comments.
  • The applicant will attend the meeting to review the request and respond to questions in more detail.

Step 4: Final Decision on Naming

City administration will bring a report to Council which will include (but not be limited to) the following:

  • Options for consideration;
  • Application form;
  • Comments from City Staff;
  • Rationale for approval;
  • Background and biographical information;
  • Documentation supporting the request;
  • Whether a naming ceremony is required
  • All associated costs that the applicant will pay;
  • Comments received from the public and
  • Recommendation from the Committee of Council.

Final Decision

  • Final decision on naming will be made by Council.
  • Council retains the right to change any name at any time without notice.