Metropark Advisory Board backs consulting contract; commissioners receive arena and fair updates
March 14, 2023 | Yellowstone, Montana
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Members of the Metropark Advisory Board told the Board of County Commissioners March 14 they support the Metropark Consulting Agreement with VSG and thanked the county for involving the advisory board in discussions.
"We want to thank the Board of County Commissioners for involving the Metropark Advisory Board in the discussions about this contract...we totally support you and we thank you for our involvement," said Mike, speaking on behalf of the Metropark Advisory Board. A second speaker, identified as Tim, reiterated that he accepted the board’s decision and said he supports it.
Metropark staff then briefed commissioners on arena bookings and fair planning. An arena staff member listed a string of upcoming ticketed events — including Montana AAU Wrestling; Montana Open Wrestling (more than 2,500 contestants reported for that event); Big Air Bash; PBR (noted as the weekend of April 14–16); concerts including Kane Brown (projected at about 6,800–7,500 tickets), Ian Muncic, Aaron Lewis, Blippi, Whiskey Myers, REO Speedwagon and the Goo Goo Dolls — and said promoters are generally pleased with sales.
On the county fair, staff described priorities to add shade and seating to increase visitor dwell time, plans for a garden project with extension staff (including CAD drawings and soil remediation to replace gravel/dirt) and outreach to bring Native cultural displays. Staff said they will recruit community volunteers to help run attractions and aim to emphasize education through the garden project.
Speakers also described a construction project outside the exhibit hall to add approximately 97 new parking spaces (primarily ADA). The work will change pedestrian access for upcoming shows; Metropark staff said an alternate pedestrian gate east of the pavilion will be used while construction continues and that they expect that portion of the project to be finished in May, weather permitting.
Commissioner Morrison asked whether WWC drawings showing the affected areas could be posted to the county or Metropark website so patrons could view access maps; Metropark staff agreed to post drawings as they become available.
No formal vote on the Metropark consulting agreement occurred during the meeting; public comments in support were recorded on the session’s public-comment portion.
"We want to thank the Board of County Commissioners for involving the Metropark Advisory Board in the discussions about this contract...we totally support you and we thank you for our involvement," said Mike, speaking on behalf of the Metropark Advisory Board. A second speaker, identified as Tim, reiterated that he accepted the board’s decision and said he supports it.
Metropark staff then briefed commissioners on arena bookings and fair planning. An arena staff member listed a string of upcoming ticketed events — including Montana AAU Wrestling; Montana Open Wrestling (more than 2,500 contestants reported for that event); Big Air Bash; PBR (noted as the weekend of April 14–16); concerts including Kane Brown (projected at about 6,800–7,500 tickets), Ian Muncic, Aaron Lewis, Blippi, Whiskey Myers, REO Speedwagon and the Goo Goo Dolls — and said promoters are generally pleased with sales.
On the county fair, staff described priorities to add shade and seating to increase visitor dwell time, plans for a garden project with extension staff (including CAD drawings and soil remediation to replace gravel/dirt) and outreach to bring Native cultural displays. Staff said they will recruit community volunteers to help run attractions and aim to emphasize education through the garden project.
Speakers also described a construction project outside the exhibit hall to add approximately 97 new parking spaces (primarily ADA). The work will change pedestrian access for upcoming shows; Metropark staff said an alternate pedestrian gate east of the pavilion will be used while construction continues and that they expect that portion of the project to be finished in May, weather permitting.
Commissioner Morrison asked whether WWC drawings showing the affected areas could be posted to the county or Metropark website so patrons could view access maps; Metropark staff agreed to post drawings as they become available.
No formal vote on the Metropark consulting agreement occurred during the meeting; public comments in support were recorded on the session’s public-comment portion.
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