On June 1, the doors of the old Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 43 will close forever.
The Legion will reopen its doors this fall at the old Elks Hall on Sixth Avenue, once a $250,000 renovation is complete.
"We have to do a lot of fundraising," said John Scott, the region's zone commander. "That kicks off this week. We have a lot of renovations to do at the new facility, and provide it with the necessary resources for our future, so we have to bring in money."
One of the ways that will happen is selling off the surplus furniture and other unnecessary pieces of the old Legion facility that will not make the trip to the new location. A silent auction is also underway, and an internal membership contribution drive is also set to unfold.
"It's a really sad day to close the old Legion but it is also an exciting time because it is bringing the Legion back to viability in Prince George and gives us a fresh start in a place better suited to our needs. We certainly did not need 20,000 square feet of space, and we had to pay all those expenses for unused space. The new place is 5,000 square feet and things are fresh and new, but all the familiar old artifacts and historical items will make the trip over and will be there in the new space too. It's a nice mix of new and traditional," Scott explained.
The final weekend events happen on May 31, June 1 and 2.
"We're going to try to have as much fun as we can, the final weekend we are in the old place," said Scott. "We're having celebration events that Friday, Saturday and Sunday as a way to say we are leaving, we are saying good-bye to a chapter in our Legion's history, but we are moving into a new chapter, an exciting chapter, and we want the public to enjoy that with us."
For more information contact the Legion or attend the Legion's Fourth Annual Red Shirt Marathon on May 25 at Fort George Park (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.). This five-kilometre walk/wheel/run is in support of Canadian troops needing medical help from Winch House - a home away from home for soldiers and first responders in need of Lower Mainland-based medical attention. The entry fee for the Red Shirt Marathon is $20 and a red shirt is included.
