WORCESTER, Mass. — After years of hard work, members of an American Legion Post celebrated their new facility Saturday.

A little over three years ago, a fire tore through the Chester P. Tuttle American Legion Post in Auburn. This weekend, members of the post held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the facility, which is practically brand new. One side of the building is the lounge area which features a bar. The other side is the function hall. 

Construction started in Dec. 2020 and was completed a few months later. People who were there the night of the fire remember it well, but say it's hard to describe the emotions after seeing the new building.

"The night of the fire, there was a lot of history that was destroyed, a lot of memories for a lot of the families that came here," said Auburn Firefighter Jim Sweeney, who was in the building the night of the fire. "Second, third generations having dinners. So, today is a joyous day to have this place back open."

"Right now, on Friday, Saturday nights, the place is booming," said Commander Rich Larson. "It's great."

The Post has been open and operating for a few months now. They say they're open to the public for anyone who wants to stop by.