Changes Happening for Riley Arena
Sarah Christensen, the manager of Riley Arena, recently met via telephone with a Cody Journal writer to discuss the successful past winter season and upcoming summer changes for the venue. It was easy to hear how passionate Sarah is about the community events at the arena.
Sports Community and Positive Winter Economic Impact
This 2025 winter has been a resounding success for the facility. Riley Arena proudly hosted the Wyoming State Hockey Tournament with the Yeti, The Quake minor league hockey team, and the Cody Figure Skating Club Classic. These events, which brought in hundreds of competitors and their families, were a testament to the thriving sports community in our area.
‘Puckers Past their Prime,’ a 30 years and older hockey tournament also took place April 26th-27th. Eight adult teams attended to compete for the victory trophy. This event not only brought the community together but also served as a significant revenue generator for our local hotels and food establishments, a testament to the economic impact of our community events.
Changes to Maximize Serving the Whole Community
However, there will be a change coming soon. According to Sarah and the Riley Arena board of directors, the ice will be removed on May 10, 2025, just in time for the large Big Horn Basin RV Show on May 12th. In years past, Riley Arena has alternated between ice and bare floor events with success. Events such as fundraisers, archery tournaments, home and garden shows, and more were popular with the local community. This is not a new idea, just another way to look at how to best serve the whole community.
Additionally, the Riley Arena enjoys collaborating and maintaining open communication with the Cody Aquatics and Recreation Center staff and administration, which allows them to assist one another with scheduling and event support. Two notable events are already on the Summer 2025 Riley Arena Calendar. One is “Celebrities for a Cause,” from June 19th to 21st, featuring 30 plus well-known professional and retired athletes/coaches from around the country to benefit local cancer patients in the Bighorn Basin. Another significant event is the 50th annual Winchester Gun Show, scheduled for July 11th to 13th.
Ice Returns in August
Rest assured, the Riley Arena ice will be back on August 1st, ready to usher in the upcoming hockey and figure skating season. We can’t wait to see the arena come alive once again with a variety of community events in all seasons! To schedule your summer event at the Riley Arena, reach out to Sarah Christensen at 307-587-1681 or [email protected].
Article by Lindsay Shaw
Owner of Blue Spruce Ink
Lindsay Shaw is a fifth-generation Wyomingite who works and lives in Cody, Wyoming. She is honored to be Blue Spruce Ink’s founder and owner. Lindsay is determined to live an authentic, high-integrity life purposed toward connection. She works to find the best possible pathway to effectively serve her client's needs and establish a solid rapport with each individual and organization. She champions her clients’ strengths to assist them in successfully navigating their challenges to attain new areas of growth.