Yesterday evening, well over a hundred people enjoyed a steak dinner at the Royal Canadian Legion on Lansdowne Street in Callander. Every Friday people buy tickets for these meals, but the night was extra tasty as Branch 445 was celebrating a large Provincial grant of $427,500.
MPP Vic Fedeli was in the house as well. He just got back into town, and was eager to celebrate with the diners, Legion Members, and many volunteers who make the Legion run. For Branch President, Ron Devost, the funding in invaluable.
“It certainly extends the life of our Legion,” he said, noting the building opened its doors in 1989. “It’s very good for the whole community” he said, as the Legion also opens its doors to various community led-initiatives, such as activities for seniors.
The money was granted a couple of years ago during Covid, and all of the upgrades have been completed. Last night was just a good night to officially acknowledge all of the work that has been done.
“Ontario’s Legions play a tremendous role in supporting our heroic veterans and their families,”
Fedeli said. “Our government is proud to support their efforts through the Ontario Trillium
Foundation. This funding has helped Branch 445 modernize their building to continue providing programs and events in Callander for years to come.”
“Thank you, Branch 445, for always being a welcoming place for veterans and their families,” he added.
As for the upgrades, there are many. A new HVAC unit was installed for the entire building. New ceiling tiles were put in, the bar was overhauled with new counters and an icemaker. The bathrooms were upgraded and made more accessible, and the kitchen was overhauled as well.
We’re talking new counters, new cupboards and cabinets, new cutlery and dishes, many new appliances and kitchen knives and serving platters. Literally everything plus the kitchen sink – the kitchen has two new sinks as well.
Also, some major roof repairs were done to prevent leaks and the main hall now has new chairs and the lounge has new tables. “We’re certainly here for many more years to come,” Devost said, as the upgrades put things in tip-top shape.
It doesn’t end there. The baseball diamond was upgraded, and new horseshoes were purchased as well. A new barbeque, capable of grilling for hundreds of hungry diners, has a place of honour on the back deck. The back deck is new too, complete with a ramp leading to the back kitchen door.
And now, the kitchen is air-conditioned. This might be one of the best upgrades for those culinary volunteers who help prepare the meals.
Rhonda-Lee Coleman is one of those volunteers, “and oh my goodness yes,” the upgrades made a big difference on meal days. “The A/C is amazing,” she enthused as before there was none. The new sinks are also a hit, one for handwashing, and one for food prep. Both are nice and deep.
“All the counter tops are new” she highlighted. Coleman pointed out the new culinary delights, and there were a plenty. Soft-closing drawers full of cutlery, “all new cupboards,” and all the surfaces are easy to clean and sanitize.
It’s a like a new place.
Fitting, since last year marked the Branch’s 75th anniversary. “Over the past year many vendors and volunteers spent countless hours ensuring this work was complete,” Devost said.
See: Callander’s Legion is turning 75
“We are extremely thankful to Minister Fedeli and the Trillium Foundation for their continued support of our Legion and providing this incredible opportunity to extend the life of our building and services exponentially,” he added.
Now save a Friday night for an upcoming Legion dinner and you can see the upgrades with your own eyes.
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
