BILLINGS – Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band take the stage at MetraPark on Tuesday night.
Staff at MetraPark are trying a few new things to enhance the concert experience.
An express security check will be offered at the northeast entrance of the arena for concertgoers with no bags. Anyone with a bag can use any of the other entrances.
Electronic signs will offer some direction to cars heading into the parking lots.
Golf carts will offer a return ride to cars that are parked in farther spots in the lower lots.
Concertgoers that take a hotel shuttle or rideshare service can catch their ride after the show at the lower sidewalk of the arena. Space heaters will also offer some warmth while patrons wait in the area.
The arena is also offering a VIP parking option for the concert. A VIP parking spot can be purchased at the box office for $10 or for $15 online at MetraPark.com. The parking lot across from the arena and the Montana Pavillion lot will serve as VIP lots.
MetraPark also got the OK to open doors at 6 p.m., giving attendees an hour and a half to get in the door and get settled into their seats before the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
“Four or 5,000 people an hour is OK. When we have 9,000-plus people coming to this arena with the general rush hour traffic, going down the busiest street in Montana and the Bench Connector, that extra half hour for the screening and everything that goes into it, just makes a world of difference,” said Bill Dutcher, MetraPark General Manager.
For anyone not going to the concert, Dutcher suggests avoiding the Bench Connector and staying on Main Street, as they plan to close off the connector after the show until the upper lot is empty.
Specific information with parking maps and other details are listed on the MetraPark website and can be found by clicking here.
