Legion membership votes to downsize as building repairs estimated at $500,000

Sault Ste. Marie’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 is by no means closing, but its members have voted to “downsize to a smaller footprint and maintain its veterans programs.”

That, said Branch President Wilma Oliver, means “I expect we will be moving to another location.”

Such a move, Oliver told SooToday Tuesday, is something the Branch will look into beginning in the New Year.

It is estimated the two-storey Branch 25 building, located at 96 Great Northern Rd., needs repairs in the $500,000 range, based on estimates provided by contractors, Oliver said.

She said only 122 of the Branch’s nearly 600 members voted at a special meeting to determine the branch building’s fate Nov. 29 at the Sault Ste. Marie Armoury. 

“We didn’t have a great number of our membership turn out…but a lot of our members, of course, are elderly and are not able to get out.”

“We had our treasurer give an overview of our financial situation to the membership and our 1st vice president did a powerpoint presentation regarding the building and the costs involved in the upkeep of the building, then we gave them an option to vote on four different options,” Oliver said.

“There’s no point in trying to downsize the current building because even if we closed the upper floor we still have to heat it and that’s what’s costing us a lot of money. I don’t see any way we could downsize without moving to a different facility.”

Oliver said Branch 25 does not have a specific new location in mind, but a branch committee is examining where to relocate to.

“We just can’t continue to limp along hand to mouth, we can’t afford the building we’re in any longer. It was built at a time (in 1967) when we had 3,000 members, now we’re down to less than 600 and we really don’t need that much space.”

“I think it’s a wise choice that the membership made. I really do,” Oliver said.

The Branch 25 property on Great Northern Road will be sold, Oliver said, but only after approval is received from the Legion’s Provincial Command and Dominion Command. 

“It’s not going to happen overnight,” Oliver said.

Federal government funding through Veterans Affairs Canada, Oliver said, is not the answer to saving the Great Northern Road Branch 25 building.

“I don’t think putting money into the facility is going to help because we don’t have the members.”

“We’re not the only place in town that’s having this kind of a problem. All of the service clubs are in the same fix. If you ask any of them, their members are just not there anymore,” Oliver said.

“It’s not something people do, they don’t go out to a club at night. People don’t use the Legion the way they used to use the Legion, for entertainment (for such activities as bingo, darts, pool and dancing).”

Oliver said Branch 25 will “probably” buy another building as opposed to renting a space, preferably a central location on one storey, with no stairs to impede anyone with mobility issues.

“That’s where we will need federal funding. We’ll have to approach agencies for grants when we come to that.”

Sharing the Sault Ste. Marie Armoury space on Pine Street is out of the question, Oliver said, as the federal government does not let any other agencies share their facilities.

Oliver, however, did extend her thanks to Lt.-Col. Lance Knox, 49th (Sault Ste. Marie) Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery commanding officer, for allowing Branch 25 members to hold their special meeting at the facility in November.

“He (Knox) is very supportive of the Legion.”

Historical gems, such as the Royal Canadian Navy gun currently mounted near Branch 25’s front entrance facing Great Northern Road, will move to wherever the branch moves, along with the branch’s extensive museum of artifacts, photos and paintings, Oliver said.

Oliver emphasized Branch 25 itself, which celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2018, is not closing (contrary to earlier rumours), but its members are looking at a different location to meet.