The public’s help is needed to save the Sechelt Legion, or their doors will close for good.
“Given our reserves, we’ve got a year or a year and a half at the most,” said Paul Lith, chair of the Sechelt Legion Branch No. 140 finance committee.
Lith first came forward with a plea to the public in 2012, saying the Legion would close in two years without a drastic increase in bar and kitchen sales, hall rentals or some form of seniors/veterans housing on site to generate funds. Now that two-year window is up.
A projected deficit of $60,000 a year was buffered some, thanks to cost cutting and saving measures implemented by branch president Irma Mahar, which bought the Legion some time.
“Irma was instrumental in bringing that deficit down, which is the only reason we’re still operating,” Lith said.
The Legion’s problem is twofold. There are not enough people spending money at the Legion and not enough volunteers to put on events that might draw people in.
Regarding events and activities at the Legion, Lith said, “I don’t think there’s any shortage of good ideas, only a shortage of people to put them into action.”
Long-time member Terry Powell said he could recall a time when more than 900 Coasters were members of the Sechelt Legion. Now the ranks hover around 300 and few are active volunteers.
“Also 85 per cent of our members are 55 or older,” Lith said, noting the need for more young people to join the Legion and get involved.
Mahar noted anyone of legal age is welcome to join, trying to dispel the myth that you must have military ties to become a member.
She also wanted to discount a rumour many Legionnaires heard from the public over Remem-brance Day, implying that money from the sale of poppies goes to support the Legion.
“We don’t get any of that money at all. It all goes to the veterans who need it,” Mahar said, adding that the final say on where poppy funds are distributed is made by head office, which reviews each case to ensure veterans are being well served.
What did help the Legion on Remembrance Day was the influx of people ordering from the bar and restaurant.
Mahar said the crowd was bigger than usual this year, likely due to the tragic shooting in Parliament in Ottawa.
“It was really great to see so many people here, but when life gets more comfortable, I hope they won’t forget us. Because if they do, we won’t be here,” Mahar said.
In another effort to save the Sechelt Legion, Lith said members of a separate committee are still pursuing the idea of creating seniors/veterans housing on site, but so far they haven’t been able to come to a deal with a developer that would benefit both the developer and the Legion.
“We’re still looking at the housing option though,” Mahar noted. “We’ve sent out letters of intent to 30-some construction companies and developers.”
While the housing would be “great,” Lith said day-to-day sales at the Legion have to increase to keep them afloat until something can be built.
“I’m not sure how to get people to come here, but we need them to come,” he said.
“I think that ‘Save the Legion’ has to be a slogan for people.”
The Sechelt Legion is located at 5591 Wharf Rd. and is open Monday from 4 to 11 p.m., and Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. On Saturday the Legion is open from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. and closed on Sundays. The kitchen is open Tuesday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and children are now welcome when the kitchen is open.
