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Legion's last hurrah, new building on horizon (10 photos)

'We’re going into a new chapter,’ says Legion member Judy Jolicoeur about Branch 25's temporary location at Marconi and the planned new building

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 members and the general public gathered at the Legion’s building on Great Northern Road on Tuesday for the last celebration as the branch prepares to move to a temporary location at the Marconi Cultural Event Centre.

The existing building will be demolished, and a new nine-storey, 107-unit veteran housing project, along with new branch facilities, will be constructed on the site of the existing branch located at 96 Great Northern Rd.

It is anticipated the new building will open in 2024.

“Today is a sad and happy day,” Frank Jolicoeur, a Branch 25 member for 27 years, told SooToday.

“It’s a sad day to see this lovely branch building go, but now we’re going to have a new branch that can serve our veterans, which we’re here to do and to help seniors,” Jolicoeur added, commending Branch 25 leadership for their efforts in the new Branch 25 building project.

“I’ve met a lot of good people here - military, ex-military and friends,” Jolicoeur said.

The Branch 25 building opened in 1967.

Beverages, food and specially decorated cakes marking the current building’s history were on hand for guests.

“The Legion will go on in memory of our First and Second World War veterans and modern veterans. To me, it’s all about veterans and moving forward,” said Frank’s wife, Judy Jolicoeur.

“We’re going into a new chapter. I love everybody here. I’ve gained a lot of friendships. I’m sad to see this building go, but a new chapter is coming, and we have to move forward. To keep the Legion going at the temporary location is important. I’m looking forward to the new building,” said Judy Jolicoeur, a Branch member for 17 years, adding Branch 25 is always looking for new members.

“I feel great, but I feel kind of sad,” said Sonny Armstrong, a Branch 25 member for 15 years.

Armstrong regularly carries flags for the Honour Guard in Branch 25 ceremonies remembering those who have served and fallen in Canada’s wars.

“I’ve seen a lot of people come and go,” Armstrong said, referring to local Second World War veterans, most of whom are now deceased.

“Most of those soldiers didn’t like to talk about their experiences, but if you got them alone and they started talking, they had so much to offer you. They went through a lot for us.”

“I intend to go down there. I believe most of the members will go there to meet friends at the Marconi,” Armstrong said of the temporary location.

“I feel excellent about today,” said Ron Rouleau, Branch 25 2nd vice president and museum curator.

“It’s the last hurrah at this building. It’s a really good party that the bartenders put on. They did a great job, and this is the way that it should go out.”

“We have a place to go for two years, and then we'll be back. In two years, we'll be back at a bigger and better place. It’s a whole new experience for us. We’ll be at the Marconi, and our services will still be going on. Our Korean War display is still up for the summer, and we’ll continue with that, but it'll be in a smaller venue for now,” Rouleau said, happy that artifacts from Branch 25’s museum - a treasure trove of artifacts from Canada’s military history - are stored at the Sault Ste. Marie Museum until the new branch building opens."

The guns currently displayed outside Branch 25 facing Great Northern Road will be stored on-site during the construction of the new building.


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Darren Taylor

About the Author: Darren Taylor

Darren Taylor is a news reporter and photographer in Sault Ste Marie. He regularly covers community events, political announcements and numerous board meetings. With a background in broadcast journalism, Darren has worked in the media since 1996.
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