Germain Arena in Estero to become Hertz Arena with a new look

Hertz and the Florida Everblades have entered into a naming-rights agreement, renaming the home of the Everblades hockey team to “Hertz Arena.”

The agreement entails updating the facility’s interior and exterior with the Hertz logo and other branded signage, further strengthening Hertz’s commitment to Southwest Florida and Estero, where the company is headquartered.

“Establishing strong roots in Southwest Florida has been very important to us since relocating our world headquarters to Estero in 2015,” said Hertz President and Chief Executive Officer Kathryn Marinello. “So many of our employees and customers live, work and travel here. We’re proud to call Estero our home and committed to making a positive impact in the community, which includes this exciting new partnership with the Everblades and the many special events thousands of people will enjoy at Hertz Arena.”

The proposed design rendering for the exterior of the arena is subject to approval from the Village of Estero.

But not everyone is happy with the released design renderings for Hertz Arena.

Jim Boesch, mayor of Estero, says no thanks to the suggested yellow exterior.

“We are not going to let a bright yellow lemon be dropped in the middle of Estero,” Boesch said.

The newly named Hertz Arena has a design to paint the whole building yellow. Neighbors are comparing the bold look to a yellow submarine, something from Sesame Street or even a fruit.

“It would be kind of weird, like a banana,” said junior Everblades member William Wood.

For many residents, the big question is if this will actually happen.

“It would be a very long shot to see this get passed,” Boesch said.

Boesch says the arena will stick out like a sore thumb. He says Estero has a Mediterranean, more mild style.

“That’s why many people buy here, because of the style,” Boesch said.

The design will go through the design review board, who makes the decision, next Wednesday to talk about it for the first time. But Boesch says they’ll likely stick to the accepted colors.

“That type of color will not stand here,” Boesch said.

In addition to serving as the home of the Florida Everblades ECHL AA Premier Hockey League team for the past 20 years, the approximately 7,000-seat arena hosts hundreds of concerts, entertainment and sporting events each year.