Iowa auditorium keeps ‘veterans’ in name

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Veterans Memorial Auditorium in Des Moines will keep “veterans” in its name.

Polk County supervisors voted Tuesday to approve a 10-year, $2.5 million sponsorship agreement with Community Choice Credit Union.

Last week, the board and the credit union announced the deal, saying the new name of the complex would be the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center. That created a backlash, especially from veterans.

The building will now be the Veterans Memorial Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center.

Supervisors say they intended no insult with the sponsorship deal.

The auditorium, which opened in 1955, is in the midst of a $43 million renovation. A ribbon cutting is set for Jan. 9.