Billings, MT’s current Rimrock Auto Arena could have a new naming-rights partner in First Interstate Bank, as Yellowstone County officials will negotiate with the company.
Car dealership Rimrock Auto Group has had its name on the venue going back to 2007, and its current naming-rights partnership is slated to expire on May 31. The company previously disclosed that it would not pursue a renewal of that agreement, opening the door for officials to seek a new naming-rights sponsor.
The process took a step forward on Tuesday, when the MetraPark Advisory Board voted to advance First Interstate Bank’s proposal. This comes after the bank submitted a bid in December. More from the Billings Gazette:
First Interstate Bank and Ultra Graphics entered bids for naming rights in December. First Interstate proposed a five-year contract, paying $175,000 per year for naming rights to the arena. Ultra Graphics proposed a five-year contract with an option to renew for another five years, starting at $100,000 for the first year and climbing to $165,000 the 10th year.
Both companies said they would assume the costs of replacing the signage inside and outside the arena, which was required by the county.
“Both companies did a terrific job” with their bids, said Ray Massey, MetraPark’s director of marketing and sales.
But First Interstate’s bid seemed like the best place to start, he said.
Rimrock Auto Arena originally opened in 1975, but underwent an extensive overhaul after being severely damaged by a tornado in 2010. It is part of the MetraPark fairgrounds complex.
