ABOUT | Livingston Ice Rink

ONE MISSION: BUILDING Community on Ice.

The Livingston Ice Skating (LISA), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, was established in 2009. The first ice rink was built at Water Works Parks and successfully operated for 2 years before it was met with challenges from the surrounding neighborhood. Several years later, a new location behind the Civic Center was found. Unfortunately, the warming winter temperatures and Livingston wind made it clear to all that the only solution for a viable ice rink in town was a covered, refrigerated surface.

In 2021, another dedicated group of ice enthusiasts approached Park County about using the Steer Barn at the Fairgrounds to house a rink. Park County purchased a set of rink boards to get the rink up and running! The current ice rink in the Steer Barn has been operational for the past two winter seasons and seen many happy skaters. We have a roof over our head and thanks to our community's support, we now have refrigeration, also known as a chiller, to keep our ice rink frozen all winter long!

We are still accepting donations to keep ice skating free for all and to improve programming for the rink.

Livingston Ice Skating Association (LISA)

board members

Holly Sienkiewicz, President

Holly grew up in Duluth, Minnesota where winters are very long and very cold. Her grandmother had an ice rink across the street from her house and she spent many happy winter days skating with family and friends. She is currently a school nurse in the Livingston School District and believes strongly in the power of exercise and play to help build strong communities and improve well-being. She has lived in Livingston with her husband, 3 children, 2 dogs, and many goats since 2012.

Kris Fitzgerald, Vice President

Kris grew up in Vermont where she spent winters skating on ponds and playing hockey. She was fortunate enough to be part of a full girls hockey program growing up and went on to play varsity hockey in high school. In her twenties she headed west, found Montana and fell in love with the mountains and rivers. Kris moved to Livingston in 2010 where she still resides with her husband and two dogs. As the owner of a local business, Woods Rose Market, Kris feels deeply tied to the health of the community and the strength of the local economy.

Heather Jurvakainen, Secretary

Heather was 19 and attending college in Washingston state when she started working seasonally in Yellowstone National Park. After graduating, she never moved back as Heather had fallen in love with winter in the mountains. She is now a registered nurse, has two school aged kids, and a husband who grew up on the ice back in Wisconsin. Heather and her family are always looking for winter adventures. She loves the affordability, accessibility, and exercise of the Park County Recreational Rink.

Carol Weatherbee, Treasurer

Carol is from New England where the weather is very similar to Montana. Skating was a daily winter routine growing up. In fact, my Dad would plow the local pond; even though the plow fell through once and backup became a snowblower, so that the neighborhood kids could continue to enjoy it. I am now a retired accountant who enjoys the outdoors and volunteering. It is gratifying to watch everyone enjoy this winter sport in Park County and Livingston.

Steve Van Slyke

Steve grew up skating ponds and rinks across northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. He has since felt a need to have winter ice accessible wherever he lands. He recently found himself in the Alaskan Arctic for a handful of winters and instantly became the local pond shoveling, game coordinating “rink director.” Upon return to Livingston and after many trips over the hill to play in adult hockey leagues and coaching in his kid’s youth league, the call of local, Livingston ice grew. Steve joined the Park County Fairgrounds and Parks Board three years ago and proceeded to fixate on local ice for kids and families at an otherwise sleepy winter fairgrounds. He is grateful to work with this team of inspiring ice-focussed volunteers. Steve knows that one of the best cures for seasonal depression is endorphins, and skating is the perfect antidote.

Kris Brownlee

Originally from Virginia, one of her fondest childhood memories is ice skating outdoors with her father. Kris ventured west upon graduation from high school and was lucky enough to find her way to Montana. She works in community development and strongly believes in keeping our rural communities strong and vibrant. Kris sees everyday the importance of providing recreational opportunities that are equally accessible and available to all. Though her skating skills have yet to be fully realized, she always enjoys cheering on live hockey.

Lauren Dalzell

Lauren grew up in NY State and learned to skate on her grandpa’s pond. She moved to Livingston in 1998 and has never looked back. She is deeply rooted in the community and serves on several boards. Having an indoor ice rink in Livingston has long been a dream of hers. With two school aged children, she appreciates the affordability and accessibility that skating can provide local kids. Winters are long in Montana, and the more opportunities we can provide, the better.

Alex Russell

Alex moved to Montana in 1991 where he could do all the outdoor things he loves about Montana; backpacking, fishing, skiing, hunting, and canoeing. One thing he will do indoors is play hockey during the winter months. In fact, when he was a UPS driver in Bozeman, he would throw his gear in the truck and play puck-lunch several times a week at the Valley Ice Garden, unbeknownst to his supervisor. Today, he is a realtor in commercial and residential sales (McCaw, DeVries & Steinhauer), residing in Livingston with his partner and her son, and gets to play occasional hockey games with his son in Bozeman. Alex is also a “Big” with Big Brothers & Sisters of Livingston.

Heather Hardman

Heather grew up in Alabama where she started figure skating competitively at the age of 4 years old. She spent nearly every day at the ice rink, working her way up to a Senior Gold Medalist and Regional athlete. She moved to Montana in 2017 where she started coaching for the Bozeman Figure Skating Club. Heather is excited to bring the love of ice skating to Livingston and hopes it will teach kids the same valuable life skills that it brought her. She's looking forward to teaching Learn to Skate and private lessons at the rink and is excited to share her greatest passion with Park County.