STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

The outdoor ice rink at Campion Ice House has been named Ron’s Rink at Hailey Ice to honor the countless hours that Hailey dentist Ron Fairfax contributed to seeing the Ice House come to fruition.

“We owe the Hailey Ice vision to so many, but the man who kept the vision going is our own Ron Fairfax,” wrote Sarah Benson, the rink’s executive director.

Fairfax spent 15 years leading the charge for the $6 million, 33,000-square-foot facility, which opened in 2015.

As the face of Hailey Ice, he guided it through a lengthy period as supporters tried to identify a suitable site for the rink. Then he helped it overcome the withdrawal of a major pledge when the recession hit.

Fairfax didn’t even start playing hockey until several years ago when he turned 50. He did it for his sons Matt and Scott and the other kids in the valley.

Since the indoor rink opened, he hasn’t backed off. He pitches in every year to build the outdoor rink in the rodeo arena where kids and adults have been able to skate for free.

Fairfax also was heavily involved in the remodel and expansion of Friedman Memorial Airport, serving on the Airport Authority.