The Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-11-04, Page 25Branch 1
can be proud
Page 7
The home of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 109 Goderich as of 1947, when the town
donated the original building to the branch. The original building was built in 1899 as
meeting hall for the Independent Order of Oddfellows.
Legion Hall addition
cost $215,000 in '76
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 109,
Goderich, is one branch which can boast of
an attractive, modern facility to call
home.
Officially opened in 1976, the project was
conceived in 1975. The 50 foot, three story
addition to the exisiting facility was
originally estimated to cost around
rais-
ed$204,to $215,000 y thure e time it was completed.
Located at the corner of Kinston and
Stanley Streets, the original building was
built in 1899 as a meeting place for the In-
ternational Order of Oddfellows. The addi-
tion was built on the front of the original
building, from which a tower on the corner
next to Stanley Street was removed, as it
had become structurally unsound.
However, the remainder of the original
building was was left intact and blended in
with the new addition as well as possible.
The Legion building committee at the
time consisted of: George Low, Ralph
Kinswell, William Burke, Verne Smith,
Stan Youngblut, Evelyn Carroll and
Rosemarie Lassaline. Robert Chapman
served -as an ex -officio member of this
committee while he was Legion president.
The finance Committee was; Ed Tonks
a
(Branch President when the building open-
ed in '76), Roy Mugford and Don McAr-
thur. Trustees were Harry Worsell, Walter
Sheardown and Bert Such.
Proceedsfrom the branch's 50-50 draw
helped finance the addition, the mortgage
on which was paid off seven years after
construction.
Members of the Legion Ladies Auxiliary
also helped with the fundraising as did in-
dividual members through contributions
and loans to the building fund.
At the time, the Legion had over 575
members, including ordinary and life
members, associate members (sons and
daughters of veterans) and fraternal af-
filiate members, while the Ladies Aux-
iliary had a membership of 125.
"To accommodate our extra member-
ship and to allow more of the members to
enjoy our facilities are the basic reasons
for the addition," said George, Low. He
also said the addition would allow the
Legion Ladies to cater for most of the func-
tions of the community when required.
"Many new young members will feel
thay have a part to play in the communi-
ty," Low predicted._
The new legion building takes shape around the original building during the first phases
of construction .
The $205,000 renovations resulted in : ranch 109's modern headquarters. Note.. the tower
roof was removed but the tower rooms were incorporated into the layout of the present
building.
0
CNG !'4.ATULATI(S.NS
ON Y - 60th
IRTH I AY®t {S Y Y{
AVE MANY M
The Park House appreciates your patronage
and hopes you'll continue to enjoy good food at
reasonable prices at our unique location
overlooking beautiful Lake Huron beside
Harbour Park.
Seriously
committed to
the best in
casual dining!