By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA – Saturday’s Massena Village Police vs. Volunteer Fire Department hockey game raised just over $1,900 to benefit the Massena Boys and Girls Club, Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors President Timmy Currier said Monday afternoon. He is also Massena’s police chief.

“It’ll go to the capital campaign,” Currier said. “It was a wonderful fundraiser … excellent entertainment”

The police team was composed of members of village police, New York State Police, St. Regis Mohawk Police and St. Lawrence County Sheriff Deputies. One Village of Massena employee, Monique Chatland, also skated for the cops. The fire department team was made up of fire and rescue personnel.

The game ended with the police winning 10 – 6. The ice had a friendly atmosphere, with the players laughing between whistles and helping each other up when they lost their footing.

“The fire chief, Tommy Miller, lost the bet to me,” Currier said while chuckling.

Currier said the Boys and Girls Club recently made a great stride.

“We just received notification that our 501c3 application has been granted,” he said, meaning the IRS now officially recognizes the group as a charity organization.

“It’s a great step forward for us,” Currier said.

On Dec. 17, the Boys and Girls Club signed a deal to buy the former St. Joseph’s School on Bayley Road in Massena. It will be the club home once all their ducks are in a row. They made a $20,000 down payment, entirely raised through donations. At the Time, Currier said St. Joseph’s Parish was quite amenable throughout the purchasing process and credited them with agreeing to an unusual contract. It gives them time to come up with the remaining $105,000. This avoided the headache of having to go through a financier and deal with a long-term mortgage.

Once finished, Currier said the center will include a homework room, a room specifically for teens, play area, multi-purpose art room and “lots of space left over to identify other programs and needs.”

They are anticipating a minimum paid staff of five or six. It would include an executive director, programming and activities head, and three or four assistants, according to Boys and Girls Club capital campaign manager Bill Wolf. They would be supported by volunteers. Once fully operational, the club will partner with the Massena Central School District as well as local colleges.

On Saturday, the Boys and Girls Club will hold a trivia night fundraiser at the Massena Lodge of Elks on Bowers Street.