WATERTOWN, S.D.(AlphaMedia)–Hopes of building a new multi-purpose ice arena in Watertown got a big boost Tuesday with an announcement from Councilman Ried Holien (ho-leen), who chairs the local Ice Arena Committee.

The Watertown Hockey Association last month committed to raising a minimum two million dollars toward the arena, and the Watertown Figure Skate Club has pledged $750,000 toward the project.

In each case, some of the money would be cash, and some in the form of in-kind donations.

A new two-sheet ice arena has been estimated to cost in the neighborhood of $15-17 million.

Holien says the former Metz Bakery site in the downtown area is still, “in play.” He would not publicly identify the other two sites, but says the Watertown Mall location is not one of them.