Article by Jessica Renstrom

Photos by Keely Zimmermann 

Every great space starts with a single idea, and for the ARC, that idea began with community member Dick Zier. A father of seven and sports enthusiast, Dick was passionate about the need for spaces for kids to play and belong. He spent years coaching youth sports and helping Montana communities fundraise for sports projects, determined to keep every kid connected to their community. 

"He always loved sports. His worst nightmare was to lose a sport in this community," said his daughter, Brittani Hoiness. "His vision was to have a giant sports complex in town on the South Side near Amend Park because you would already have the outdoor space accounted for. So he started gathering all of the information on what that would look like, how much that would cost, and how everything could be under one roof. He'd talk about taking my kids to the city council to be able to point at his 'why.'" 

When the city expanded the original measure containing the full-scale recreation center and put it up for a vote, it didn't pass. But Dick wasn't dissuaded. "He's the kind of guy that if it wasn't a hard 'no,' it's not a 'no,'" laughed Brittani. So Dick pivoted and split the recreation center into two different projects, which would eventually become the new Signal Peak Ice Arena and Amend Park Complex. 

He was a steadfast advocate for the recreation center, but Brittani said her dad's desire for this space came long before the city began construction. While going through his things after his passing in January of 2026, Dick's family found plans for a full-scale recreation center dating back to 2007. "This space comes from a place of love, from somebody who liked competing. He was never the all-star of any team," says Brittani. "He just wanted to create opportunities to let everybody be in the game. He wanted to create a healthy outlet and safe space for all kids. My dad believed that when you invest in kids, you invest in the future of a whole community." 

A BUILDING WORTHY OF THE VISION 

This summer, that vision became real. Billings leveled up its sports scene with the opening of The Amend Recreation Campus (ARC), one of the region's largest indoor sports venues. The 57,000-square-foot multi-purpose building is home to 37 courts, including five exterior courts, with room for pickup play and leagues, fitness classes, tournaments, and countless games of basketball, pickleball, racquetball, volleyball, and more. 

Inside the courts complex, the expansive 47,000 square feet of maple wood floor makes it the largest single wood sports floor in the state of Montana. Every detail, from the impressive floor to the smallest finishing touches, reflects the intentionality behind the building's design. A&E Design took special care to make the space inviting and bright with lots of natural daylight. The design is both beautiful and functional, ready to accommodate the hundreds of participants who will be using the space at any given time. 

Over 900 visitors gathered at the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in July to celebrate the new space, which Billings Mayor Mike Nelson said "represents opportunity, health, and connection." Beyond giving local families a much-needed space to play, practice, and connect, the ARC will draw tournament traffic from across the region, putting Billings on the map as a destination for indoor sports. 

Investing in the community is something that the South Billings Urban Renewal Association (SBURA) has made central to its mission. To help make this dream a reality, SBURA committed $26 million to the construction of the facility and $1 million toward the purchase of the property it stands on, believing that a building like ARC could "transform South Billings, provide opportunities for generations of families, and strengthen our community," described Mike Mayott of SBURA. 

A COMMUNITY-WIDE EFFORT 

Part of Dick's desire for the space was to keep it affordable, a goal shared by the Billings Parks and Recreation Department who will be managing the day-to-day operations of the facility. And though the complex's role in the community is just getting started, Gavin Woltjer, Director of Billings Parks and Recreation and Public Lands, is already looking towards the future. He announced during the ARC's Grand Opening that the space already had 17 tournaments scheduled before the doors had even opened, and that, "We're going to learn together over the next three, four, five years what this place can accomplish." 

The building itself is a testament to the power of community, as mentioned by Jason Hubbard, Vice President of the Eastern District of Langlas & Associates: "The early planning, the early site work reflects the craftsmanship, the coordination, and pride of a lot of dedicated people." The sheer number of local businesses and contractors who shared their talents in bringing the space to life is truly impressive, including: A&E Design, Air Controls, Alpine Concrete Restoration, Apex Insulation, Bighorn Drywall, Billings Concrete, Billings Overhead Door Company, Castlerock Excavating, Central Electric, Inc., the City of Billings, Clean by Design, Communications Technology, Fischer Commercial Flooring, Grizzly Glass, J and B Contracting, Langlas & Associates, Inc., Long Building Technologies, Montana School Equipment Company, Northern Hardwood Co, Inc., Painters Inc., Plumb MT Inc., Reliable Automation Systems, Shades Unlimited, Silverpeak Framing & Drywall, Specialty Foundation Systems, LLC, Square One Cabinets, Statera Technical Services, The Good Earth Works Co, Inc., Tiensvold Fire Protection, True North Steel of Billings, Weave Construction, Yellowstone Acoustics, and YESCO. 

"It's going to be a lot of fun watching this place come alive with athletes chasing dreams, families cheering from the stands, and memories being made for years to come," says Lane Huffman, Senior Project Superintendent at Langlas & Associates. "Who knows, maybe someday we'll hear an Olympian or professional athlete tell ESPN, 'It all started at the A.R.C. in Billings, Montana.' We'll all smile knowing we had a small part in that story." SLM  

Originally printed in the September 2026 issue of Simply Local Magazine

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