
Norton Healthcare will become the first Cornerstone Partner for Louisville’s downtown arena opening 2010, as announced today by the Louisville Arena Authority, Inc.(LAA), the University of Louisville, and Louisville Arena Sports and Entertainment Properties (LASEP), a Learfield Sports entity, which secured the Norton partnership on behalf of the LAA. Norton Healthcare is Louisville’s leading health care system, serving nearly one of every two people in Metro Louisville.
This 10-year, $10 million partnership with Norton Healthcare marks a first of its kind – incorporating an immediate care center to provide health care benefits to the public through a multi-purpose facility. Never before has health care been brought to a venue like this, ushering in a whole new way for a health care provider to be totally immersed in the community. Norton will also operate two permanent Norton-branded first aid stations inside the arena for all University of Louisville games and additional arena entertainment events, in addition to the 1,607-square-foot Norton Immediate Care Center open to the public year round via an exterior entrance at the front of the arena, off the main Plaza. Norton Healthcare’s partnership allows for the health care system to also garner interior and exterior signage at the new downtown arena, and receive additional exposure at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, home of U of L football.
"An important part of Norton Healthcare’s not-for-profit mission is to expand our services to meet important community health care needs in underserved areas," said Stephen A. Williams, president & CEO of Norton Healthcare. "By having a Norton Immediate Care Center in the new arena, we will provide convenient access to urgent care services for the approximately 60,000 workers within a two-block radius of the arena. This is also significant for people who live downtown and for those visiting our community for conventions, games and shows. We will also have the opportunity to create a summer program at the arena promoting childhood health and fitness, which is an important part of the mission of our Kosair Children’s Hospital.
"We are excited to use the arena partnership to bring additional important health care services to downtown Louisville, while at the same time being a good community citizen to support the arena and the University of Louisville. We view this as a $10 million investment in our community," Williams concluded.
The Louisville Arena Authority expects to have four to eight "Cornerstone Partners" with Norton Healthcare being the first to be announced. Its agreement provides $10 million to the arena and U of L over 10 years with $700,000 a year going to the Arena Authority and $300,000 a year going to U of L per the arena’s contract with the University of Louisville Athletics Association.
"We are proud to have Norton Healthcare, one of our city’s leading community citizens, capitalize on this unprecedented opportunity to become synonymous with our arena," said Mayor Jerry Abramson.
According to Chair of the Louisville Arena Authority Jim Host, "This unique partnership is a win-win for the heart of Louisville. It increases the convenience of quality health care downtown and offers another reason why events will want to utilize the arena."