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It was devastating when the town of LeRoy lost their rink to fire, but it also offered a chance to start over.

After two years of hard work and fundraising the new LeRoy Rink is starting to take form.

Brian Thoen, the Mayor of LeRoy is very pleased to see the structure starting to take form. Thoen knows how important it is for the community to have it's rink back.

"The rink means attracting young families. So they don't have travel for hockey, ringette or figure skating. It means bringing other people into the community. Helping other communities out, hosting events."

Thoen says the project is creating a bit of a buzz in the community.

"It's very exciting in town here, there are lots of people talking about it, it's brought the morale up in town very very much."

He also mentioned how pleased he was with the progress the builder's are making.

"They've been working at it very steady, through rain, sleet and everything else. Yes, it's coming along very very good."

RNF Ventures is the company responsible for constructing the new rink.

Site Manager with RNF, Orlan Peterson knows how important this build is.

"Being from a small town myself, I mean they're ( the rinks) are the hub of the town during the winter. Yeah it's huge to keep the town going and its going to be a real asset for sure."

Peterson is looking forward to finishing the rink for the community.

"We're looking forward to being here for the drop of the puck when the new season starts next year."

The rink should be completed by next summer

None of the build would be possible without the effort of the Raise the Roof Committee. Kari Moore the Raise the Roof fundraising committee chair said they are very close to their fundraising goal.

"Well right now we are sitting at about $5,000,000, we're looking at probably $5,600,000 project total. That sets us at around $500,000 short."

You can help out with this project and many others in the community by taking part in the LeRoy Leisure Lotto.

To hear more from Ronald Quaroni's interview with Brian Thoen, Kari and Bryce Moore and Orlan Peterson click below.

Brian Thoen

Kari and Bryce Moore

Orlan Peterson