Signage is posted at the RWJ Barnabas Arena in Toms River. (File Photo)
An area that has been named for a jailed former superintendent, a bottled water company and a chain of car dealerships has a new naming sponsor: RWJ Barnabas Health System, which owns Community Medical Center and dozens of other medical facilities across the state.
The arena, located on the Toms River High School North campus, had its signage changed last week. It was last known as the Pine Belt Arena. Previous it was known as the Poland Spring Arena and the Ritacco Center.
Signage is posted at the RWJ Barnabas Arena in Toms River. (File Photo)
Under the partnership, RWJ Barnabas Health will pay the district a total of $637,500 over five years. The agreement began Jan. 1, 2018, but it took several months to determine the final name, logo and have signage manufactured.
While the arena naming rights will be the most visible sign of the pact, a major component will be educational services in the schools sponsored by the healthcare provider.
“This is more of a partnership than a sponsorship, and what we’re most excited about is to work side-by-side with RWJBarnabas Health in a way that directly and positively impacts our students,” Superintendent David Healy said. “Everything from student internships to wellness education to athletic protocol is being discussed, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.”
Signage is posted at the RWJ Barnabas Arena in Toms River. (File Photo)
Signage is posted at the RWJ Barnabas Arena in Toms River. (File Photo)
RWJ Barnabas Health will serve as a consultant on planned updates to health-based curriculum, particularly for the STEAM Academy School of Biomedicine, and will work with teachers and staff on training in an effort to support and prepare students for future healthcare positions, the district said in a statement.
