聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 聽 A historical building used as a hall for the Royal Canadian Legion is getting some much-needed upgrades thanks to a funding program.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The Canora branch of the Royal Canadian Legion No. 52 was chosen as one of the recipients of funding after submitting an application to the Community Beautification Works Project organized by Community Futures Ventures. Members of the Legion accepted a cheque for $1,900 at the Legion building from representatives of Community Futures Ventures, Corinne Lubinieki and Brenda Airth.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The building, which was built in the 1920s, was originally supposed to be used as a basement for the construction of a Ukrainian Orthodox church, before it was donated to the Royal Canadian Legion. According to Carol Sleeva of the Legion, the hall is now used at least twice a week for various activities including programs with the Canora cadets squadron.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Thanks to funding from Community Futures Ventures, the Royal Canadian Legion has been able to make several much needed updates to the building. Legion members have painted the walls of the hall, added a new sign to the front of the building, and had a new metal door installed in front.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Sleeva mentioned that the old door to the Legion building was wooden and likely had not been replaced since the building was first constructed.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淚t was almost see-through,鈥� she said. Deb Gabora, another Legion member, stated that when the door was removed, it probably could not stay in one piece.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淭his looks 10 million times better,鈥� Sleeva said of the new door.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Sleeva said the Legion members began making small renovations to the hall about two years ago in the hopes that people may see the appeal of holding more events, such as weddings and dances, in the location. The members are aiming to hopefully build a better roof for the facility in the future.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淚t鈥檚 a struggle, but we鈥檙e determined,鈥� Sleeva said.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 According to information from the organization, Community Futures Ventures is a non-profit organization that is run by a volunteer board of directors and staffed by business professionals. The organization鈥檚 mission is to assist in the growth of local communities by providing expertise and resources to its clients.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The Yorkton branch of Community Futures Ventures serves communities throughout East Central Saskatchewan, including Canora, Ituna, Kamsack, Norquay, Preeceville, Sturgis, Invermay, Rama, Rhein, and Theodore, among others. It runs a Community Beautification Works Project annually in which it donates to communities across the province.
