The local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion has left behind almost a century of memories at its former location on Mills Road in North Saanich for SidneyB次元官网网址檚 SHOAL Centre for Seniors.
The non-profit organization representing veterans moved into its new location early this month.
Ryan Trelford, communications director for the Saanich Peninsula Branch #37 of the Royal Canadian Legion, said the branch operated out of a building in the 1600-block of Mills Road for 90 years. It had rented the buildingB次元官网网址檚 basement after having sold the building some time ago because of financial difficulties. A music school and a karate school also operate out of the building. Plans call for the basement previously used by the legion to house a daycare.
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Trelford said many older members feel nostalgic and sad about moving. On the other hand, the move will also allow the legion to raise awareness and membership numbers.
B次元官网网址淭here are mixed feelings, but we are looking forward to doing something different,B次元官网网址� he said. The branch currently has about 220 members.
Trelford said the move became necessary because of reasons outside the branchB次元官网网址檚 control.
B次元官网网址淪o [the new owner] bought the building and one of the conditions of becoming a new landlord [required by a financial institution] was that we had to cease our liquor licence,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪o they said that we were welcome to stay and that we would have to pay $1,500 rent per month.B次元官网网址�
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Trelford said that figure would have been more than double the current rate. Without a liquor licence to generate revenue, the branch was becoming increasingly concerned about whether it could continue, he said.
B次元官网网址淪o we dithered for a couple of months, and then [the landlord] told us that he had sourced a new tenant that would come effectively in April. So due to us delaying for consultations and conversations, we were eventually given notice for the April 1 move date.B次元官网网址�
Trelford stressed that the move is B次元官网网址渘ot precipitated by any negative feelingsB次元官网网址� towards the new owner. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not within the [landlordB次元官网网址檚] hands.B次元官网网址�
So will the branch serve liquor at the SHOAL Centre? B次元官网网址淲e are not sure right now,B次元官网网址� said Trelford late last year. B次元官网网址淎t this time, we are thinking about abandoning our licence.B次元官网网址�
Reasons include transfer costs and a lack of guarantee that the licence would transfer, he added. While not critical, the liquor licence is an added benefit, he said.
Trelford said branch members are excited about moving to Sidney, because most of them already live in the community. So do many others who support the organization without being members, he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an opportunity for us to have more people come in,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淔or a lot of people, it is within walking distance. I think a lot of members actually live in the SHOAL Centre.B次元官网网址�
It is not clear for how long the branch will operate out of the SHOAL Centre. Trelford said the agreement with the facility is open-ended.
B次元官网网址淲e can hopefully be there for the next two to three years as a medium-term plan,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t wonB次元官网网址檛 have much of an impact on the SHOAL Centre. Our operations are fairly minor. But we do hope in the long term to secure a facility somewhere in Sidney where we can base our operations. ItB次元官网网址檚 important for us to have some sort of physical presence. Right now, being in the SHOAL Centre works, but it is not a long-term solution.B次元官网网址�
The legionB次元官网网址檚 current experience unfolds against the backdrop of declining membership numbers in branches across the country and rising expenses, with many local legions having to cease or combine operations.
Trelford said the experience of this branch shows the importance of having a physical space and responding to new situations. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a good lesson for other community organizations to not take their space for granted and to be able to react fluidly as change arises,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 think that we have been a little slow to come to terms with what is happening.B次元官网网址�
This said, Trelford predicts that the move will benefit the legion in the long term.
B次元官网网址淚n the big picture, itB次元官网网址檚 a good move for us,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 an opportunity for us not to reinvent ourselves, but to re-exert ourselves, to bring about some positive change.B次元官网网址�
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