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Legion seeks younger crowd with renovated space

The Sechelt Legion is trying to appeal to a younger generation with a new interior facelift and plans for events geared toward a younger crowd in 2014.

The Sechelt Legion is trying to appeal to a younger generation with a new interior facelift and plans for events geared toward a younger crowd in 2014.

"I think with the Sechelt Legion being 75 per cent 55 years and up, there's a definite need for younger people to be added to the membership, because at some point in time somebody has to carry on," said Paul Lith, Sechelt Legion finance committee chair.

He hopes that new paint and flooring and a new large screen TV will draw young adults into the Legion's pub to drink and dine.

"It's got a bit of a new flavour to it when you come in. It even smells better," he said.

The facelift started when volunteers put out a donation jar to raise funds for a new flat screen TV.

Two men who were having lunch at the Legion saw the jar when they paid their bill.

"They left and then came back with a large flat screen TV from Insta Glass to donate," Legion president Irma Mahar said. "That's what started it all off."

Soon Legion member Trevor Birch donated enough paint to completely cover the formerly "Pepto-Bismol coloured walls," Mahar said.

At the beginning of December, Custom Carpets completed the renovation with new carpets and flooring free of charge.

"The changes have already been bringing more people in," Mahar said, noting a few new patrons have also become new members.

An increase in pub traffic is needed to help keep the Legion afloat, Lith said, adding the Sechelt Legion only "has enough money in the kitty to last another year and a half."

The Sechelt Legion, as most Legions in B.C., is facing similar problems as their long-time members pass away and new members don't step up to fill the ranks.

"We're trying to appeal to those new members," Lith said.

The Sechelt Legion is open from Tuesday to Friday for lunch and their pub is open nightly. The Legion also has a large hall able to accommodate 200 people available for rent at 5591 Wharf Rd.

In addition the Sechelt Legion boasts snooker tables, dart boards, cribbage, bingo, poker and shuffleboard.

You don't have to be a member of the military to join, and walk-ins are always welcome.

Find out more by calling the Sechelt Legion Branch No. 140 at 604-885-2526.