MOOSE JAW — Residents and veterans clearly care about the community’s Royal Canadian Legion because a supper honouring the organization’s departure from its nearly 100-year-old building sold out quickly after going on sale.
Branch No. 59 is saying goodbye to its venue at 258 High Street West with a supper on Saturday, March 22 at 6 p.m. The event features beef on a bun and salads and entertainment from DJ Rod Willier.
Tickets went on sale on Feb. 21 and were expected to be sold until March 21. However, the 150 spots sold out within 10 days of going on sale.
The branch has existed since 1926, while it has called its current building home since 1927. However, the organization is moving to 693 Fairford Street West since its current lease expires on May 1.
Christine Simpson, the Legion’s president, said it was fantastic that tickets sold out so quickly. She thought that sent a “great message” that residents of Moose Jaw — and not just the members — cared about the organization and that it meant something to the community.
“We’re so hyped up about (the supper) — and looking forward to the move to the new place — and seeing our comrades for the final closing and the move into the new building,” she said.
The farewell supper is a bittersweet reminder that Branch No. 59 is leaving its long-time home, but it is also bringing together members and guests to celebrate the location and showing that, even if people can’t visit regularly, they will attend special events in large numbers, Simpson added.
Members are looking forward to the move, while it will be nice to have a new home, even though the High Street West location has many memories tied up in it, the Legion president said.
The organization will take every item and piece of memorabilia to the new location, including a plaque that commemorates the big flood in the 1970s that filled the building’s basement, she continued.
“The building has a lot of sentimental value to a lot of members, like retired Air Force people that have been here or lived here their whole lives, except for when they were stationed someplace else,” Simpson remarked.
“They usually come back and retire here, so it’s a place where they can come and visit with the military people they know … so it has a special place in everybody’s heart.”
Simpson has lived in Moose Jaw for 11 years and has enjoyed the camaraderie with the people. She also enjoyed hearing from long-term members about the plays and dances held 30 to 40 years ago, along with the support members showed to others struggling in life.
Another highlight is that no matter how long people have been away from Moose Jaw, when they retire here and start visiting the Legion, they begin reconnecting with people with whom they served, Simpson said.
“It’s like a family; the military is a family,” she added. “We might have 70,000 people, but there’s always somebody you know or somebody that knows of you … . It’s like he’s your second or third cousin you haven’t seen in five or 10 years.”
The Legion hopes to be in its new home by Thursday, May 1 since it must be out by April 30. The organization will close its current venue on April 19 — a final flag-lowering ceremony will occur after the last meat draw — and begin moving on April 21, with the office the first to be set up.
Simpson added that the Legion will have a grand opening in September once summer vacation is over so more members, dignitaries and VIPs can attend.
