The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 122 is moving locations after this years Remembrance Day’s ceremonies, with their last day at their current location slotted for Nov. 20.
The Legion will then be temporarily closed while it relocates to the lounge at the curling rink, and it hopes to be open again by Dec. 2.
The transition is already underway, with renovations and improvements starting earlier this month to make sure that the move goes as smoothly as possible.
Randy Hamilton of the Legion says that people can expect the same services at their new location.
“It’ll be a bit of a different atmosphere, but people are still encouraged to come out and support the Legion,” said Hamilton.
Hamilton says that the move was necessitated by the sale of their current building, as well as the upkeep and maintenance starting to overwhelm legion members.
“The number of people that were clients that were coming, you have to pay the bills,” said Hamilton.
“We’re still going to have great events like we’d normally have, with meat draws and live entertainment once we can have it.”
Hamilton says that with their proximity to the arena, he’s hoping people will come for a pre-Rockets game meal and drink, or come by after they play their own games in some of the local leagues.
Their new arrangement is a joint agreement with the Columbia Region Shuswap District, which would help lower the overhead costs for the Legion, while keeping the building open year-round instead of just during curling season. Hamilton calls it a win-win for everyone involved.
Many Legions have struggled over the last year and a half due to COVID-19, with the provincial government allocating $1.5 million in one-time funding earlier this year to help keep Legion doors open.
Established in 1925, the non-profit Legion supports veterans across Canada, but in the last year, it’s struggled to do so. For much of the pandemic, branches have had to keep their doors closed and, when they have been allowed to open to some degree, members have been too worried about the virus to go.
Hamilton says that as things start to open up, while he encourages everyone to be safe, he’s hoping to see a few more faces around the Legion this year.
“Come out and enjoy fellowship with your comrades or comradeship with your fellow friends and family,” said Hamilton.
