Legion accepts offer on hall

The Yorkton branch of the Royal Canadian Legion has accepted a conditional offer for its building.

At the Legion’s regular general meeting October 27, members heard that the executive had accepted $375,000 for the property plus a one-year free lease of the basement, which includes Gunners Lounge and a small meeting hall. The organization will also have an option to start negotiating a long-term lease after the first six months.

Barry Whitehead, Branch 77 president, said the free lease is worth approximately $70,000 to the Legion.

The sale is conditional to financing and a building inspection. If all goes well, the possession date will be March 31, 2017.

The Legion is currently not disclosing the name of the buyer what the specific use of the building will be.

Ken Box, president of the Legion’s Saskatchewan Command told the membership the sale gives the branch an opportunity to get out of debt, put some money in the bank, rebuild the branch and plan for the future.

Box said, it was good news for Legion because it simply cannot afford to stay in that building any longer. He closed the meeting with a funny story, noting the last few months has been a dark chapter for the local Legion.

The branch is still looking for new members, who do not need to be veterans and still requires four people to come forward to fill four open seats on the executive.

The Legion also wants to remind Yorkton that the Lounge, currently with hours on Saturdays and Mondays, is open to the public. On Saturday, the weekly meat draw is still run and a new game Chase the Queen is also being played.

Mondays feature darts and billiards leagues, which welcome drop-ins and newcomers.

Yorkton This Week is still seeking stories and pictures about the Legion Hall for the November 9 Remembrance Day edition. Please contact editorial@yorktonthisweek with your memories.