The B次元官网网址 Legion has moved. Now, they鈥檙e hoping to bring along their liquor licence.听
An application has been submitted by the veterans鈥 aid organization for an 鈥渆xpedited鈥 decision on its request to transfer the licence to its new premises at the corner of Ethel Street and Wilson Avenue.听
ThatB次元官网网址 just a few blocks east from their old site on Bertram Avenue, which was sold to UBC Okanagan听 after the universityB次元官网网址 construction of its 43-storey tower is believed to have severely damaged the building.听
鈥淥ur new premises, situated approximately 450 metres from the former site, remains in the downtown core and offers enhanced amenities, including improved parking facilities, which have been a long-standing priority for our members and guests,鈥 Legion president Jim White writes in the application to the city.听
鈥淭he new Wilson Avenue location will serve as the central hub for our community engagement and licensed operations, supporting our mission to honour and assist veterans and their families,鈥 White says.
Capacity at the new building is 213 persons, with the proposed licensing areas being the main floor, basement, and patio. The Legion will continue to be a 鈥渇amily-friendly venue鈥, White says.听
鈥淕iven that our former location is no longer operational, this relocation is essential to allow us to resume our vital services to the community and our members. As such, we respectfully request that the approval process for the primary liquor licence relocation be expedited,鈥 he says.听
City councillors will eventually be asked for their opinion on the liquor licence transfer but the final decision is up to the province.听
While scores of Legion branches across Canada have closed in recent years, plagued by both declining membership and increased operating costs, the B次元官网网址 organization is in more robust financial health. While it hasn鈥檛 been disclosed how much UBCO paid for the old Legion building, it was assessed at $5 million.
Membership at the B次元官网网址 Legion is above 700 with new recruits signing up all the time, White said in an interview last fall.听
While the organization met in temporary venues after their Bertram Street building was condemned, it wasn鈥檛 an ideal situation and club members were eager to get into a new building. 鈥淧eople are getting antsy, they want to get going again with their dinner dances and their fish and chips and their liver and onions,鈥 he said.听
It's expected a grand opening celebration for the new B次元官网网址 Legion branch will be held in the spring.听
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