BILLINGS – Signs bearing the name of MetraPark’s new arena title sponsor, First Interstate Bank, were hung on the building Monday afternoon.
First Interstate Bank was chosen as the title sponsor of the arena in June. Now, the venue is known as the First Interstate Arena.
MetraPark Marketing Director Ray Massie said crews hope to have all the new signs up by the end of the week.
As of 5:30 p.m. Monday, crews were hoisting the word “arena” onto the southwest side of the building – completing the words, “First Interstate Arena.” Earlier in the day, they had removed “Rimrock Auto,” the previous sponsor, from that same side of the building.
First Interstate Bank CEO Kevin Riley said MetraPark is a big economic driver for Billings.
“It brings in people from South Dakota and Wyoming and other cities,” Riley said. “So that’s what really helps the economic vitality of Billings is bringing all these other people to shows and the PBR (Professional Bull Riding) and various other events at the Metra.”
The arena naming rights were bought by First Interstate Bank for $875,000 over five years. The rights became available after the previous holder,Rimrock Auto, elected not to renew after a 10-year run.
