View source for First Interstate Arena

{{Short description|Multi-purpose indoor arena in Billings, Montana, U.S.}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = First Interstate Arena
| logo_image = File:First Interstate Arena at MetraPark logo.png
| image =
| image_caption = 
| pushpin_map = Montana#USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Montana##Location within United States
| pushpin_relief = 1
| pushpin_label = First Interstate Arena
| fullname = First Interstate Arena at MetraPark
| former_names = Montana Entertainment Trade and Recreation Arena (1975–1999)<br>MetraPark Arena (1999–2007)<br>Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark (2007&ndash;2019)
| location = 308 6th Avenue North<br>Billings, MT 59101-1500
| opened = 1975
| renovated = 2010–2011 (cost $27 million)
| owner = [[Yellowstone County, Montana|Yellowstone County]]
| operator = MetraPark
| cost = $11 million (1975)
| capacity = 8,700 ([[Ice hockey]] and [[Indoor American football|Indoor football]])<br>10,500 ([[Basketball]])<br>12,000 ([[Concert]]s)
| tenants = [[Billings Blazers]] ([[Southwest Hockey League|SWHL]]) (1975–1977)<br>[[Billings Bighorns]] ([[Western Hockey League|WHL]]) (1977–1982)<br>[[Billings Volcanos (basketball)|Billings Volcanos]] ([[Continental Basketball Association|CBA]]) (1980–1983)<br>[[Montana Magic]] ([[Central Professional Hockey League|CHL]]) (1983–1984)<br>[[Billings Marlboros]] ([[Continental Hockey League (1972–1986)|CHL]]) (1985–1986)<br>[[Billings Bulls]] ([[America West Hockey League|AWHL]]/[[North American Hockey League|NAHL]]) (1993–2006)<br>[[Billings RimRockers]] ([[International Basketball Association|IBA]]) (1998–2001)<br>[[Billings Outlaws]] ([[National Indoor Football League|NIFL]]/[[United Indoor Football|UIF]]/[[Indoor Football League|IFL]]) (2001–2004, 2006&ndash;2010)<br>Billings Rims ([[All-American Professional Basketball League (2005)|AAPBL]]) (2005)<br>[[Billings Wolves]] (IFL) (2015–2016)<br>[[Billings Outlaws (CIF)|Billings Outlaws]] ([[Champions Indoor Football|CIF]]/[[Arena Football League|AFL]]) (2022–present)
| website = {{URL|http://www.metrapark.com/}}
}}

[[File:RAA3.JPG|250px|right|thumb|The then-Rimrock Auto Arena in 2021]]
'''First Interstate Arena''' (colloquially known as '''The Metra)''' is a multi-purpose [[arena]] located at MetraPark, the [[fair]]grounds of [[Billings, Montana]]. The arena has a capacity of 8,700 for [[ice hockey]] and [[Indoor American football|indoor football]] games, 10,500 for [[basketball]], and up to 12,000 for [[concert]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.metrapark.com/facility/rimrock-auto-arena/ |title=MetraPark Arena Information &#124; MetraPark |access-date=2011-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716051952/http://www.metrapark.com/facility/rimrock-auto-arena/ |archive-date=2011-07-16 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  The arena hosts a variety of local sporting, musical, and other events. It has also hosted professional sporting competitions. In 2005, MetraPark Arena marked its 30th anniversary. The arena was renovated in 2010 and 2011 at a cost of $27 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/government-and-politics/article_ca7fbb88-5223-57e5-a7bb-7cf6d6d033f4.html|title=10 months later, a new arena ready to shine}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Rimrock Auto Arena damage.JPG|thumb|left|The arena after the [[2010 Billings tornado]]]]
The arena was completed in 1975 and named the METRA, an [[acronym]] that stood for Montana Entertainment Trade and Recreation Arena.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://helenair.com/news/article_831086cc-81b1-11df-ac5f-001cc4c03286.html |title=Tornado gives Billings chance to rethink Metra |author=Cochran, Diane |date=27 June 2010 |work=[[Independent Record]] |publisher=[[Lee Enterprises]] |access-date=29 December 2011|archive-url=http://www.freezepage.com/1325174531DHSBZYVTBP?url=http://helenair.com/news/article_831086cc-81b1-11df-ac5f-001cc4c03286.html |archive-date=29 December 2011}}</ref> It was built at the Midland Empire Fairgrounds, which later was renamed MetraPark, at which time the arena became MetraPark Arena. The naming rights were sold to Billings-based Rimrock Auto Group in 2007 and the arena went by the name Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/article_8e0c7b98-7dc5-5d29-88cb-53b65b3b3625.html|title=MetraPark Arena naming rights sold}}</ref> It is owned by [[Yellowstone County]]. On June 20, 2010, the [[Father's Day Tornado]] hit the arena, causing major damage<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/article_838bcdd0-7cc2-11df-8fe9-001cc4c03286.html?mode=story|title = Tornado destroys MetraPark arena, Heights stores}}</ref> In 2010–2011 the arena was remodeled, resulting in many new amenities such as improved acoustics, more restrooms and concession areas, and easier access from the parking areas. The arena is an energy efficient building with contemporary aesthetics. On April 10, 2011, with the outer arena still under construction, [[Elton John]] played the first concert in the Arena since the tornado.<ref>http://www.ktvq.com/news/tornado-hits-billings/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100625004340/http://www.ktvq.com/news/tornado-hits-billings/ |date=2010-06-25 }} Tornado Hits Billings – KTVQ</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlGsNN7TPrc&feature=player_embedded Tornado destroys MetraPark (raw video – explicit language)</ref>

== Name changes ==
On February 21, 2007, Rimrock Auto Group announced a 10-year, [[United States dollar|US $]]1 million naming rights deal for the arena.  Beginning July 1, 2007 it became known as the Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark.<ref>{{cite news |last= Howard |first= Tom |title= County OKs deals for ads, video, arena name |publisher= [[Billings Gazette]] |url= http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1222744771.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160319214800/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1222744771.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 2016-03-19 |date= 2007-02-21 |access-date= 2007-09-23}}</ref> On June 3, 2019, First Interstate Bank announced a 5-year US$875,000 naming rights deal for the arena.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/2019/06/03/new-era-at-billings-metrapark-as-arena-officially-changes-name/|title=New era at Billings' MetraPark as arena officially changes name|date=2019-06-04|website=KTVQ|language=en|access-date=2019-08-22}}</ref> The new name of the facility would be First Interstate Arena at MetraPark.

==Events==
[[File:RAA1.JPG|thumb|right|The rebuilt MetraPark Arena]]

=== Concerts ===
The Arena remains the largest indoor concert venue in Montana and hosts an average of 9–12 concerts each year. In 2015, [[The Eagles]] set a record for the largest grossing concert at the venue, grossing [http://billingsgazette.com/entertainment/music/eagles-show-becomes-highest-grossing-event-ever-at-metrapark/article_23eb92c5-ed7c-5dc3-b5ee-3f43d952b1de.html $1.4 million in tickets sold].

Other major concert performances  at the arena included [[Aerosmith]], [[Beach Boys]], [[Black Sabbath]], [[Garth Brooks]], [[Johnny Cash]], [[Cher]], [[Def Leppard]], [[John Denver]], [[Neil Diamond]], [[Elton John]], [[Fleetwood Mac]], [[Foo Fighters]], [[Foreigner (band)|Foreigner]], [[Merle Haggard]], [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]], [[Lynyrd Skynyrd]], [[Tim McGraw]], [[Metallica]], [[Mötley Crüe]], [[Willie Nelson]], [[Nickelback]], [[Rush band|Rush]], [[Bob Seger]], [[Slayer]], [[George Strait]], [[Styx (band)|Styx]], [[Carrie Underwood]], [[Van Halen]], and [[ZZ Top]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://billingsgazette.com/special-section/metra-park/metra-performers-attract-crowds-over-decades/article_7c3fc46c-9683-51fd-b2f6-f7109abe7a17.html|title = Metra performers attract crowds over decades}}</ref>

=== Annual ===
*Montana State High School Wrestling Tournament – February
*M.A.T.E (Montana Agri-Trade Expo) – February
*Spring Home Improvement Show – March
*MontanaFair – August
*Fall Home Improvement Show – September
*NILE ([[Northern International Livestock Exposition]]) Stock Show and Rodeo – October 
*Chase Hawks Memorial Rough Stock Rodeo – December
*Every other year MetraPark host a Men's college basketball game between Montana State and Wyoming.

=== Sporting ===
[[File:RimrockAutoOutlaws.jpg|thumb|200px|right|2009 United Bowl]]

The Arena has been home to two teams with the Indoor Football League [[Indoor Football League|IFL]]. The [[Billings Outlaws]] played in the league from 2000 to 2010 before disbanding following the June 2010 Father's Day tornado. In 2015, the league expanded adding the [[Billings Wolves]] but only lasted two seasons before folding as well.

MetraPark has hosted pre-season [[NBA]] games on a semi-regular basis. The Arena played host to the first ever game for the NBA's [[Oklahoma City Thunder]] on October 8, 2008 in a pre-season game against the Timberwolves. The Timberwolves prevailed 88–82.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/10/09/sports/local/18-wolves.txt | title=T'Wolves Play Spoiler | first=Phil | last=Sites | publisher=[[Billings Gazette]] | date=2008-10-08 | access-date=2008-10-09 }}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

MetraPark is a longtime tour stop for the [[Professional Bull Riders|PBR]]'s [[Built Ford Tough Series]] (known as the '''Bud Light Cup''' until 2003), which has visited the arena every year since 1996.

In the summer of 2005, MetraPark hosted tryouts for the [[All-American Professional Basketball League]] (AAPBL), a new minor basketball league. The tryouts took place from July 11 to 22, 2005. However, the league folded shortly thereafter.

MetraPark has also played host to various [[World Wrestling Entertainment|WWE]], [[World Championship Wrestling|WCW]] and UWF wrestling events including a live televised [[WCW Monday Nitro]] television show on June 19, 2000.

In 2017, First Interstate Arena hosted the NAIA Women's DI Basketball Tournament.

In 2022, a new version of the [[Billings Outlaws (AFL)|Billings Outlaws]] began play at the arena as members of [[Champions Indoor Football]] and now the revived [[Arena Football League (2024)|Arena Football League]].

=== U.S. presidential visits ===
*[[Donald Trump]] – 2018
*[[George W. Bush]] – 2001 and 2006
*[[Bill Clinton]] – 1996
*[[George H. W. Bush]] – 1992
*[[Ronald Reagan]] – 1982
*[[John F. Kennedy]] – 1963 Kennedy spoke at MetraPark, then known as the Midland Empire Fairgrounds. This occurred prior to the construction of the current arena.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.metrapark.com Official website]

{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|45.800103|-108.477201|format=dms|type:landmark|display=title}}

{{CIF}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:First Interstate Arena at MetraPark}}
[[Category:Ice hockey venues in Montana]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Billings, Montana]]
[[Category:Western Hockey League arenas]]
[[Category:Convention centers in Montana]]
[[Category:Billings Wolves]]
[[Category:Indoor arenas in Montana]]
[[Category:Basketball venues in Montana]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1975]]
[[Category:1975 establishments in Montana]]