article by Jessica Renstrom | renderings by Collaborative Design Architects

Billings is set to receive a “cool” new addition to its Southwest Corridor this year with the creation of the Signal Peak Energy Arena. Located near Amend Park, this state-of-the-art ice facility will span more than 70,000 square feet and is designed to serve athletes, families, and spectators year-round.

This $16 million arena will feature two indoor ice rinks: a Marquee Rink and a Secondary Rink. Together, the two rinks will double ice capacity and provide significant room for growth in ice sports and recreation in Montana. “The hope is to grow every facet of ice sports,” states Alex Picicci, Senior Accountant at Signal Peak Energy and Treasurer for the Yellowstone Ice Foundation.

A COLLABORATIVE VISION BROUGHT TO LIFE

After a large-scale recreation center proposal failed to win voter approval, many assumed the effort was over. But the team at Collaborative Design Architects was determined to find another path forward: one that would ultimately lead to the creation of the Signal Peak Energy Arena.

Brian explains that members of the firm donated extensive time reworking the original recreation center concept, producing multiple design options to reduce costs and keep the project alive without requiring a new bond: “We basically took the rec center and reprogrammed it.”

To ensure the redesigned concepts were financially feasible, Collaborative Design Architects partnered with Langlas & Associates, a Billings-based construction firm, to evaluate the floor plans and provide real-world cost estimates.

When those options still exceeded the desired budget, the team proposed an entirely new model. “We came up with this public-private partnership,” said Brian, in which the city creates pad sites for organizations and entities to expand upon. That idea ultimately became the framework for the Amend Recreation Campus, with Signal Peak Energy Arena emerging as its first major facility.

PASSION FOR ICE & COMMUNITY COLLABORATION

For Project Design Lead Andrew Houlihan, the project holds a deeply personal connection to the sport and the South Billings community. “My uncle gifted me a hockey stick when I was less than 10 years old, and my brothers, my cousins, and I just grew up loving the sport ever since,” says Andrew. “That’s the beauty of sports. It connects you to people and place.”

Andrew, who serves on the South Billings Urban Renewal Association Board, describes the project as a reflection of Billings’ character: “When you tell someone from Billings what to do, you might get some resistance,” he said. “But if you invite them, we step up.”

This belief has held true as the firm has watched donations pour in for the facility, led by funds from Signal Peak Energy. Meanwhile,  Collaborative Design Architects has continued to contribute. “It’s become a passion project,” Andrew says of the many donated hours from the team behind the scenes.

THOUGHTFUL, INCLUSIVE DESIGN

Andrew notes that the building’s exterior design reflects both its principal donor and its purpose as a truly inclusive facility. “The entry is inspired by the primary donor, Signal Peak Energy,” he says. “There are angular forms on the entry sequence, nods to mountainous shapes and even excavation.”

Upon entering the building, you’ll find a fully heated, ADA-accessible lobby that remains at a comfortable 70 degrees, while both rinks will be kept between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit. The building is designed to accommodate up to 2,000 spectators and includes ample restroom facilities to support large crowds, an important feature given the arena’s expected draw of families and athletes from across the region. The Marquee Rink arena will feature 1,200 fixed bucket seats with padded cushions, providing the perfect place to cheer on your favorite team.

The arena will include eleven community locker rooms, accommodating youth, high school, junior, and adult leagues. The facility will also feature the state’s first designated female locker room, a milestone for Montana athletics.

ICE AND EQUIPMENT

Creating the ice itself is a meticulous process. Each ice sheet is 1¼ to 2 inches thick, with strict standards that allow less than a 1/16-inch discrepancy across the surface to ensure a completely flat rink.

Skate rentals will be available for visitors looking to try ice sports, with 200 to 300 pairs of skates on hand. A pro shop, located next to the rental area, will offer high-end equipment for players and enthusiasts alike.

SECOND FLOOR SPACES

The upstairs mezzanine will cover approximately 20,000 square feet and will be accessible via stairs or an elevator. Several upper rows of seating overlooking the Marquee Rink will be located within the warm mezzanine area.

A 3,500-square-foot community room will overlook the Secondary Rink and provide open space for families, players, and fans. The space will also be available for birthday parties, corporate events, and private bookings.

Upstairs amenities will include large men’s and women’s restrooms, a merchandise area for the junior hockey team, and a full-service restaurant and sports bar with rink-side views. Designed as both a game-day hub and a standalone destination, the space will feature a commercial kitchen and expanded concessions to support home games and year-round operations.

FUTURE FUN ON THE ICE

Signal Peak Energy Arena is designed to support a wide range of ice sports, including travel hockey, figure skating, curling, and recreational skating. Both rinks will also be sled hockey–friendly,

enabling athletes with disabilities to participate. The arena will also boost the local economy through tourism by hosting games, ice events, and shows, drawing visitors from across Montana and beyond.

The arena is expected to open in the spring of 2026, with the junior hockey team’s first official season beginning in September and October. Once completed, the Signal Peak Energy Arena will provide Billings with a premier, year-round ice facility: a place where young athletes can dream big, teams can grow, and the community can gather for some chilly fun. With its beautiful design and modern amenities, the arena is poised to become a cornerstone of Billings’ recreational and athletic programs, all thanks to persistence, partnership, and a shared commitment to the community.

“We believed that Billings is a hub for sports in our community, so we didn’t want to see this fail.”

-BRIAN JOHNSON,

PRINCIPAL AT COLLABORATIVE DESIGN ARCHITECTS

Originally printed in the March 2026 issue of Simply Local Magazine

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