Gallatin Ice expansion aims to meet growing demand in Bozeman

On any given night, the sounds of skates cutting across the ice and pucks hitting glass fill Gallatin Ice. There, players of all ages share a space that has long served as a hub for the Bozeman hockey community.

Gallatin Ice is currently moving forward with a major expansion project to complete the arena. The project comes as the rink continues to host youth and adult hockey leagues as well as home games for MSU men’s and women’s club hockey, the Bozeman Stingers and the Bozeman Ice Dogs.

“The rink plays a vital role in the community. Hockey is a growing sport in the U.S.,” said graduate student Hayden Klem, who was on the MSU Men’s Hockey Club team for five years. Klem said the recent success of the U.S. Olympic Hockey teams has inspired young players to pursue the sport.

According to Jeffrey Moore, the philanthropy director at Gallatin Ice, the approximately $10 million project will finish out 1,500 seats, creating a world-class arena environment. “Right now, it’s just a metal barn with some insulation,” he said. “This project will add in locker rooms, restrooms, a bar and restaurant, an executive suite and a mezzanine.”

Moore said the renovations have been ongoing since 2017. “We’ve been at this for years and now we’re finally at the point where we’re putting in the seats and creating a home for [MSU] hockey,” he said.

The expansion is driven in part by the number of games and events hosted at the rink each year, according to Moore. “We have 50 home games a year,” he said. “It really makes sense that we have a facility that can handle the crowds and that capacity.”

Dave Weaver, general manager of Gallatin Ice and head coach of the MSU Men’s Hockey Club, said the rink has seen steady growth across multiple programs including youth hockey, adult leagues and public skating. The facility currently serves more than 500 youth hockey players and 1,000 adult players, along with growing figure skating and curling programs, according to him.

Moore said the completed project is expected to increase attendance and improve the overall experience.

“You’ll see a lot more fans, a lot more excitement and a lot more interest from the city of Bozeman to come and visit this facility,” he said. “Now you’re going to actually be able to have a good viewer experience instead of looking through a crowd.”

“I am most excited for the new stands and viewing area,” Klem said. “This will allow people to see the game better and more accessible for those who cannot stand for the duration of a 60-minute game.”

Weaver explained that the expansion will also focus on improving the spectator experience. “For me personally, I think the fan experience will be second to none,” he said. “Every seat will be a great viewing experience, and with the improved sound system and jumbotron, it will be a great experience.”

According to Moore, the project has been made possible through long-term fundraising efforts and support from donors across the community.

“Without all of them together, we’re not able to get this done,” he said. “We have three or four really key donors, and then we probably have another three to four hundred major donors. Without all of them together, we’re not able to get this done.”

Moore said the goal of the renovations is to build a quality facility that reflects the community it serves.

“We want to finish it so that this town can enjoy this for decades to come,” he said. “We’re creating something that is appropriate for this world-class town.”

To learn more about Gallatin Ice and its programs, visit https://gallatinice.org/.