After 18 years the future of the Esquimalt Legion has finally been decided.
A new developer B次元官网网址� Vista Independent Living Ltd. B次元官网网址� has stepped in to ensure the initial proposal of a 12-storey development comes to fruition, including a new 5,000- square-foot space for the Legion itself as well as assisted living units for veterans and seniors.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 good news and bad news,B次元官网网址� says branch manager Doug Grant. B次元官网网址淭he good news is in three years time weB次元官网网址檒l have a brand new Legion and the bad news is the last dance for three years is on Saturday.B次元官网网址�
The July 28 party will be a chance for the community to bid farewell to Royal Canadian Legion Esquimalt Dockyard Branch No. 172, stationed at 622 Admirals Rd. for the last 74 years. The doors will close for good Aug. 31.
| The Esquimalt Legion will hold their last dance this Saturday, July 25. A new development will replace the 74-year-old branch in roughly three years time. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS |
Over the course of almost two decades the property has been in limbo after a struggle between the Legion and former developer Monimos Equities and Developments.
That ended in court earlier this year and Grant says Vista has taken care of the debts in order to move forward.
RELATED:
In the meantime, CFB Esquimalt base commander Capt. Jason Boyd has offered space to store some of the military memorabilia and poppy campaign equipment. Says Grant: B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 a very important thing to the veterans.B次元官网网址�
The organization is also in talks with the Township to find some interim space for socializing, potentially using the bar at Archie Browning.
Legions were born of connectivity, says Grant, a retired chief petty officer who spent 25 years in the navy. They were a place to sit and converse with others who had shared the experience of war before things like PTSD were properly diagnosed, he explains.
B次元官网网址淲e still have veterans, weB次元官网网址檙e always going to have veterans. If people look at the news, this world is not in good shape right now,B次元官网网址� he says, pointing to Prime Minister Justin TrudeauB次元官网网址檚 investment in the military with Strong, Secure, Engaged, the 20-year, $62.3-billion spending plan.
In Esquimalt, Grant says the Legion has contributed to its community over seven decades in myriad ways. He estimates B次元官网网址渕illions of dollarsB次元官网网址� have gone to those in need, including five $3,000 scholarships to students of veteran families awarded just last week.
B次元官网网址淭hese are the things weB次元官网网址檝e done over the years, this is our priority,B次元官网网址� says Grant, who plans to retire from his position of 28 years after this chapter of the branchB次元官网网址檚 history comes to a close.
When the doors of the new Legion open, the space will be outfitted with new furnishings and Grant hopes whoever takes over his role is someone with a military background.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 extremely important.B次元官网网址�
