Asomewhat iconic building is headed to, at best, new owners, but more likely demolition.
The Alexander Ross branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in the city is struggling financially.
It’s to the point where a few bills are in arrears and for some time maintenance of the Legion Hall has been at a bare minimum. That means a growing list of deficiencies, furnace, water heater, roof, a list which would cost hundreds of thousands to replace and/or repair, money the branch does not have.
So the only solution is for the Legion to sell off the property, and then seek an alternative spot somewhere in the city to hold meetings, and conduct business such as the upcoming Poppy Campaign for Remembrance Day.
The positive side of the story is that the local Legion branch will not disappear even if the hall does go before a wrecking ball as a new owner decides demolition is more affordable than bringing the building back to standard.
But the situation is nevertheless sad news for the community for several reasons.
The first is the likely loss of a hall space.
The Greek Orthodox Hall is already up for sale, and the likelihood it remains a rentable space in the city is remote.
Now the Legion Hall is likely to close.
That means couples looking for a place to hold their wedding receptions have less choice, as do groups holding meetings, or hosting small trade shows.
It is not a good situation in a community which looks to attract conventions and events as part of its tourism strategy.
But it goes farther in the case of the Legion.
The lounge area at the Hall has provided the locale for a weekly cribbage gathering for years, space provided as a service.
The Legion also hosted a large cribbage tournament each year.
The steel tip dart league had its boards there and while they did offer a modest donation to the Legion each year, it was again a service which in turn supported the Lounge. The league had once played at the ANAVETs hall, but that too is closed, the space still sitting empty.
Soft tip darts and pool leagues also utilized the Legion space.
These groups might not be large, but they provide something active to do for people in a Saskatchewan winter. Do such groups find affordable new space? Or do they simply disappear along with the Hall?
And then there is the heart of the situation, one which is perhaps most disconcerting for a community.
At the root of the situation at the Legion is a shrinking volunteer base to carry out the fundraising to keep the bills paid and the Hall maintained.
Getting people out and volunteering is a growing challenge, and while the Legion situation is in some respects the worst case of the situation, the organization is not unique in a shrinking base of active members.
If we as a community want many of the things we enjoy to continue, the Legion, SJHL Terriers, Summer Fair, and a long list of other activities, we do need volunteers to step forward and help.
If not, more activities and facilities will follow the horseshoe club, ANAVETs and now the Legion Hall into history.
