page_title: First Interstate Arena
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: First Interstate Arena / History
caption_attribution_description: English: Photo of Tornado damage to MetraPark Arena
context_page_description: First Interstate Arena, colloquially known as The Metra, is a multi-purpose arena located at MetraPark, the fairgrounds of Billings, Montana, USA. The arena has capacity for an audience of 12,000. 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.
context_section_description: The arena was completed in 1975 and named the METRA, an acronym that stood for Montana Entertainment Trade and Recreation Arena. Later the entire grounds surrounding the arena was named MetraPark, and 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. It is owned by Yellowstone County. On June 20, 2010, a tornado dubbed the Father's Day Tornado hit the arena, causing major damage 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 Rimrock Auto Arena since the tornado.
caption: The arena after the 2010 Billings tornado
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