Did you know?
The Canadian Legion was born in the aftermath of the First World War, and incorporated as a non-profit, self-sustaining, veterans’ organization in 1926.
In 1960, with the consent of Queen Elizabeth, it was rebranded as The Royal Canadian Legion.
The Legion’s continuing mission is “to serve veterans and their dependents, to promote Remembrance, and to act in the service of Canada and its communities.”
The storied home of the Charlottetown Legion is for sale.
The large, three-storey building on Pownal Street has been bleeding red far too long, says Gilles Painchaud, president of the P.E.I. Command.
Painchaud says the need for The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #1 Charlottetown to downsize is clear.
“We are looking at making the operation viable,’’ he says. “We’ve been losing money in the last few years.’’
Painchaud says the building, which has received hundreds of thousands of dollars in renovations over the past few years, was put up for sale last month. The asking price is in the $900,000 range.
“We’re hoping that it is going to be a quick sale so we can move forward and do something,’’ says Painchaud.
“We are looking at various options, maybe buying a smaller location or renting for a period of time.’’
Painchaud says the Charlottetown Legion could possibly be a tenant in its current location once the building is sold.
The Summerside Legion has for more than two years been renting the first floor of the building it once owned.
Provincial Command-appointed trustees have be in control of the Charlottetown branch for several months now trying to address the financially struggling operation.
“It has been proven since we started in January that the branch is not viable in its current location,’’ says Painchaud. “There is no way we can continue to operate in a deficit mode.’’
Painchaud stressed that there are no plans to close the branch, which has about 500 members.
“We want to make sure that it continues,’’ he says.
“We want to continue to serve veterans and their families...we need a presence in the Charlottetown area.’’
FACT BOX (if room)Did you know?
The Canadian Legion was born in the aftermath of the First World War, and incorporated as a non-profit, self-sustaining, veterans’ organization in 1926.
In 1960, with the consent of Queen Elizabeth, it was rebranded as The Royal Canadian Legion.
The Legion’s continuing mission is “to serve veterans and their dependents, to promote Remembrance, and to act in the service of Canada and its communities.”
The storied home of the Charlottetown Legion is for sale.
The large, three-storey building on Pownal Street has been bleeding red far too long, says Gilles Painchaud, president of the P.E.I. Command.
Painchaud says the need for The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #1 Charlottetown to downsize is clear.
“We are looking at making the operation viable,’’ he says. “We’ve been losing money in the last few years.’’
Painchaud says the building, which has received hundreds of thousands of dollars in renovations over the past few years, was put up for sale last month. The asking price is in the $900,000 range.
“We’re hoping that it is going to be a quick sale so we can move forward and do something,’’ says Painchaud.
“We are looking at various options, maybe buying a smaller location or renting for a period of time.’’
Painchaud says the Charlottetown Legion could possibly be a tenant in its current location once the building is sold.
The Summerside Legion has for more than two years been renting the first floor of the building it once owned.
Provincial Command-appointed trustees have be in control of the Charlottetown branch for several months now trying to address the financially struggling operation.
“It has been proven since we started in January that the branch is not viable in its current location,’’ says Painchaud. “There is no way we can continue to operate in a deficit mode.’’
Painchaud stressed that there are no plans to close the branch, which has about 500 members.
“We want to make sure that it continues,’’ he says.
“We want to continue to serve veterans and their families...we need a presence in the Charlottetown area.’’
