Colorado Avalanche now live in Ball Arena

The Colorado Avalanche, and their ownership company KSE Sports, have partnered with Ball Corp to create a global sustainability partnership. As a result, Pepsi Center has been renamed Ball Arena. Ball Corp is a leader in aluminum beverage packaging that is now working with KSE and its three Denver sports teams (Avalanche, Nuggets, Mammoth), the LA Rams, and Arsenal FC.

In their press release, the focus was on sustainability and the recyclable nature of aluminum. 100% of the beverage cups at Ball Arena will now be made of aluminum (cups, cans, bottles), with the team hoping to create a closed loop of recycling within the arena by 2022.

“The partnership will include a comprehensive recycling and sustainability plan designed to strengthen the venue’s collection, processing and reclamation, as well as investments in community education focused on aluminum recycling.”

On sustainability and the marketing of aluminum choices:

“The partnership was founded on a shared vision to advance sustainability in sports and entertainment by strengthening in-venue aluminum recycling, providing fans with a more environmentally friendly fan experience and showcasing aluminum beverage packaging as the most sustainable choice.”

From the President and CEO of Ball:

“We are committed to making recycling an easy, everyday choice for consumers by providing them with infinitely recyclable aluminum cans, bottles and cups that can be used and back on a store shelf in just 60 days, and enhancing recycling infrastructure in venues. We look forward to continuing to work with KSE to bring about positive change for years to come.” — John A. Hayes, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Ball Corporation

Pepsi Center was affectionately known as The Can for many years after it was built in 1999. It’s the only home the Colorado Avalanche have known. But cans are made of aluminum, and Ball Arena is sponsored by an aluminum company, so it’s like they never left?

There will obviously be room for humor under this new name. The Ball that Sakic Built, for one.

Aluminum. Aloominum. AluMINyum.

Got any name suggestions?