ItB次元官网网址檚 been a long and costly road to get there, but Royal Canadian Legion Branch 91 in Langford is aiming to have its bar and restaurant open this summer after months of renovations.

Branch president Norm Scott said since the start of May drywall has started going in and the buildingB次元官网网址檚 exterior is being power washed ahead of painting, marking the beginning of finishing work on the project, though much remains to be done before renovations are expected to be fully complete in September.

B次元官网网址淭he goal is to get the auditorium, the kitchen, front entrance and restaurant all complete so we can open hopefully in June or July,B次元官网网址� said Scott. B次元官网网址淭he whole point is to get our members home, to make them feel comfortable when they sit down, relax, and have a beer. TheyB次元官网网址檝e been out of the building for a year now. IB次元官网网址檓 stressed because I canB次元官网网址檛 give it to them sooner and I know a lot of them are suffering because of that.B次元官网网址�

Since renovations started in 2022, the branch has been using space provided by the City of Langford at the Goldstream Masonic Hall, which Scott is thankful for. That temporary space has allowed the branch to continue to earn some much-needed income, but multiple delays and cost overruns on the renovation project have put the branch in a situation where more income is badly needed, and having the building open is key.

READ MORE: Langford Legion renovations scaled back due to delays, cost increases

B次元官网网址淲e are between $700,000 and $800,000 in the hole on this project in comparison to what we had hoped for B次元官网网址� $5.8 million is the current total cost for the project. We accounted for an extra $1 million, but when it came up over $5 million, it really hit home.B次元官网网址�

Scott said the branch is doing everything it possibly can to raise money and cover that deficit, but he remains frustrated by a lack of funding from either the provincial or federal governments to support the project, despite numerous attempts to get some financial support.

Despite the financial challenges which have come with the project, he said it will be completed and the branch will reopen in full, even if they have to struggle for a bit. Donations are always accepted online at , or by contacting the branch through that same website.

Scott said there are also plans to build a donation tree decoration in the branch when it reopens, where supporters will be able to purchase a leaf, branch, or trunk.

B次元官网网址淭he renovations are the future for the branch,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hey will mean in 10 years, 15 years, they wonB次元官网网址檛 have to worry about doing what we are doing today. Structurally alone, the building is now in a sense a hundred years newer than it was before. Everything is new and built in the way it always should have been.B次元官网网址�

READ MORE: B次元官网网址楢 new visionB次元官网网址�: Langford legion looks to the future with upcoming renovations

justin.samanski-langille@goldstreamgazette.com
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