The Yorkton Legion Hall is officially for sale.
At a special general meeting September 14, Legion members heard a doom and gloom presentation by the provincial command that even operating at a minimum level, the Yorkton Legion was just a few weeks away from being completely broke.
Financial statements provided for the meeting showed declining revenues, increasing expenses and a growing deficit year over year culminating with a loss in 2015 of more than $35,500.
In fact, a report on the Legion’s current financial status noted there is only $4,900 cash available to pay bills and that is from a $14,000 line-of credit.
The building itself is in need of significant upgrades totaling some $500,000 to $600,000. Zone One Commander Jim Woodward called the building a “white elephant.”
The Legion Hall is a nostalgic institution dating to 1961, a place for members to commemorate, congregate, share camaraderie and recreation and provide a base for the main work of the organization, providing service to veterans and the community through its poppy fund. That legacy prompted an emotional debate during the special meeting, but ultimately the membership saw the futility of clinging to the facility and voted 90 per cent to sell.
“They really have no choice,” said Ken Box, Saskatchewan Command president who was also in town helping the local executive with transitional issues. “They’re completely out of money and it’s costing a fortune just to keep it going each month, so it was the correct decision.”
If the hall sits on the market for an extended period of time, the Saskatchewan Command has committed to keeping minimal utilities on line to keep the building from deteriorating any further.
The building and finances are not the entirety of the Legion’s problems, however.
“Unfortunately this is all too common,” Box said. “Shrinking membership, aging membership and the next generations aren’t joiners like our parents were and it’s hard to get involvement for service organizations.”
Nevertheless, the Yorkton branch has increased its membership over the last couple of years by encouraging the general population to join. Contrary to many people’s perception, you do not have to be military or a veteran to join.
Nevertheless, the new civilian members have not really stepped up to run the organization and the surviving World War II and Korean War vets simply cannot do as much as they used to.
And the next generation of veterans are not joining, either, although Box said the national command is working on ways of making the Legion more relevant to younger soldiers.
Also on the agenda for the Yorkton special meeting was electing a new executive. District Commander Carol Pederson made an impassioned plea to attendees to volunteer saying the Legion needs more members to be active for the branch to survive.
Slowly, a number of people let their names stand for the election to the executive. A nominating committee headed by outgoing president Peter Wyatt was formed to find candidates for president; first, second and third vice presidents; treasurer; secretary; and 12 executive at-large positions.
Legion members who wish to stand for election are asked to call the Legion at 306-783-9789.
Elections will proceed at the next general meeting. Once sworn in the new executive’s priority will be to sell the building and find a new home particularly so the organization can continue its important work of supporting veterans.
Barry Whitehead, current first vice-president of the local executive said after the Legion’s woes became public a couple of weeks ago, other community organizations came forward with informal queries and he hopes more formal proposals will be available by the time of the monthly general meeting September 28.
“I was encouraged, there were quite a few people stepping up,” Box said. “I would like to see more, of course, but I think with a couple more weeks to think about it, I’m hoping more will because we definitely more active members to run this branch.”
Several other new volunteers added their support to a new fundraising initiative, Chase the Queen (a variation on the Chase the Ace game) the Legion began running on Saturday. The Legion will be selling tickets Saturday evenings from 5:30 until 7:30 at which time the draw will be held. The fundraiser will be held at the existing hall until a new facility is secured.
Also, Gunner’s Lounge, in the basement of the building, will continue to host darts and billiards leagues on Monday evenings until further notice. All are welcome to join in the fun and action.
