SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — It’s been years in the making, but the Brandon Valley Hockey Association is finally watching a longtime dream come true.

Wednesday, crews did the final pour of concrete for the new $6 million dollar indoor hockey rink that many believe will be a game changer.

“The fact of just skating indoors is going to be amazing,” rink manager Cody Clites said.

It was all hands on deck as crews used muscle and machines to do the final pour for the new indoor hockey rink in Aspen Park.

When Brandon started the hockey association in 2011, they immediately began fundraising for a new indoor hockey rink.

“At first we were thinking just a very simple building, but we were able to secure more funds to be able to have something a little bit more professional, it’s going to be sweet, it’s going to be awesome,” Clites said.

The Brandon Valley hockey teams have always played outside, most recently out here at McHardy Park where mother nature wasn’t always too kind.

“It was cold, but we did our best,” 16-year-old hockey player Cole Clites said.

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A lot of times they had to clear the rink of snow before they could even practice on it and that was hard work.

In 2019, a massive flood with large chunks of ice not only destroyed the rink, it almost bankrupt the association.

But they were able to break ground in November of 2023 and there was no looking back.

Now, the players can’t wait for the new indoor rink to open for several reasons; travel is one of them.

“We practice in Sioux Falls right now and it’s just going to be a less drive and get more ice time,” Cole said. “It’s going to give us so much more opportunities for our team.”

The rink will also allow them to bring in more money by hosting their own tournaments.

The Brandon Valley Hockey Association currently has 140 skaters, but they believe it’s only going to grow with the new multi-million indoor dollar hockey rink.

They’re hoping to get the ice down in February and be skating by March.