Some 600 men descended upon the Shawville arena on Friday night in a men’s night event organized by the Pontiac Arena Fund.

This event was the group’s second in a series of fundraisers in support of an estimated $2 million in repairs needed for the Shawville arena. The night featured guest speakers, a silent auction and a cash bar.

Committee member Mike Rusenstrom, who was involved in organizing the night, said he was impressed by the support level from the community, with over 600 attendees.

“We expect to raise in excess of $150,000,” he said.

He said they were still receiving donations with only hours to go until the event’s start, including a kids’ four-wheeler and a lawnmower to be auctioned off to lucky winners.

“The support has been absolutely incredible. It makes you realize what [the arena] means to everybody,” he said.

The Shawville Lions Club was on hand to present a surprise cheque from the club in the amount of $50,000.

“We’ve always been a supporter of the rink, and our hall’s in that building as well, so we wanted to make sure that future generations had a hub and a place to go and play hockey,” said former Lions president and current member Edward Walsh.