Every big project reaches a moment that decides everything, and for this one, that moment is now. The Forge fundraiser has carried the project from an idea to secured land, and the next stretch of funding stands between the finished plan and the groundbreaking. This is the point where community action truly determines what comes next. Here is where the fundraiser stands today, and why this stretch matters more than any that came before.

Where The Forge Fundraiser Stands

The Forge fundraiser has already proven what this community can do together. The campaign has raised $10 million toward a $40 million goal, roughly 25% of the way there, all without taking on debt. That is a remarkable start for a project funded entirely by the people it will serve.

Every gift so far has moved the project a step closer, and the momentum is real and building. The work now is to carry that momentum across the line while the energy is high and the plan is ready to go. Fundraising is rarely a straight line, and the final stretch is often the hardest. It is also the most important, because it is what turns a promising campaign into a finished building.

Why This Moment Is Different

Momentum has a window, and that time is now. With the land secured and the design in hand, the project is poised to move, and funding is what sets the pace from here. A dollar given now does more than a dollar given later, because it keeps the schedule on track.

Closing the gap soon keeps momentum on our side. Every month the gap lingers is another month families keep driving out of the region for ice, and another season some kids miss entirely. The cost of waiting is real, even when it is quiet.

What’s at Stake for Central Oregon

The stakes are bigger than a single building. Youth sports keep getting more expensive, and access keeps slipping for everyday families. Nationally, the cost of youth sports has climbed sharply in recent years, pushing participation out of reach for many kids.

A community-funded rink pushes back on that trend by keeping ice affordable and local for good. This fundraiser is how Central Oregon locks in that future for the next generation. Miss the moment, and the region waits years for another chance that may never come. Seize it, and the payoff lasts for decades.

Why Community Dollars Matter Most

The Forge is built on a simple idea: the people who use a place should own it. That only works if the community steps up to fund it, which is exactly what makes this fundraiser so meaningful. Each gift is a vote of confidence and a claim on the outcome.

There is no bank waiting to finish the job, and no city budget to fall back on. The community is the engine here, so the pace of the build tracks the generosity of the region. That responsibility is also an opportunity, because it means the credit belongs entirely to the people who made it happen. That is a rare kind of ownership, and it is worth stepping up for.

Help Carry It Across the Line

This is the moment only the community can seize. The plan is ready, the land is secured, and the finish line is finally in view. See how you can move the vision forward, and find your place among the supporters carrying it forward. Some moments do not come back around, and this is one of them. Let’s carry it across the line together.