The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 40 in Springdale is struggling to keep their doors open.
The legion, established since the late 1950s, has been sliding in its ability to attract new membership and to bring patrons to their bar located on its ground level. Don Matthews, treasurer for the branch, says that their difficulty all comes down to finances.
"We are running out of money. There's an open public bar there, but hardly anyone uses it. It only clears about $100 a week," he said.
The legion is used as a place for meetings and occasional events, and is still a venue for bingo night on Thursday. It is also rented out to the public for birthday parties and other events, but not often enough to create a substantial profit. The expenses of the building include heat and electricity, plus the cost of insurance.
In a recent meeting held by the legion executive, a decision was made to keep the building open by having volunteers serve at the bar, to cut their labour costs. However, Mr. Matthews doesn't know how long that will keep them going.
"We had a meeting and voted to keep the legion open for now, on the condition that we get volunteers to operate the bar. But in my own opinion, it's not going to work with volunteers. You know how it is, people generally volunteer without really knowing what's involved," he said.
The legion has approximately 55 members, but many of them live outside of town or work in another province.
"We're on a pretty tight rope. We have about seven members in attendance at meetings," said Mr. Matthews.
Other legions throughout the province have been challenged with this problem as well. The Western Star recently reported that the legions in Corner Brook, Bay St. George and Stephenville are dealing with a decline in their numbers.
President Jean Blackler says an increase in volunteers and members, in addition to other factors could help them to remain afloat.
"More members would help, and also more customers using the bar. If anyone wants to rent the legion for functions and meetings, that would help too," said Ms. Blackler.
One person who is happy to have the facility remain open is veteran Herb Pike. The 86-year-old served in Yorkshire, England back in the 1940s, and served in Africa as well.
"We have a serious problem, but we had it before and lived," said Mr. Pike. "There is a lack of veterans around now and all legions are struggling, but having volunteers in the bar works elsewhere, so we're willing to give it a try."
Legion is struggling to remain open
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 40 in Springdale is struggling to keep their doors open.
The legion, established since the late 1950s, has been sliding in its ability to attract new membership and to bring patrons to their bar located on its ground level. Don Matthews, treasurer for the branch, says that their difficulty all comes down to finances.
"We are running out of money. There's an open public bar there, but hardly anyone uses it. It only clears about $100 a week," he said.
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- Frank
- - July 9th, 2010 at 15:23:07
I have to agree with you that our legions are struggling, not just in Newfoundland and Labrador but across Canada.
There seems to be other reasons other than our aging Veterans and our departed comrades. I have supported the RCL for many years and people tell me that they have not always been accepted at the Legion branches, or once they join as a member they don't feel that they have any say in how their legion is managed. There was always that click within the ececutive that turned mant affiliated members away. many have not renewed their membership after one year.
Only good adminstration and good attitude towards others will keep our legions alive. it should not just be a place to drop by for a beer. There is also a risk in having volunteers serving at the bar. What you really need is a good public relations officer who will
get to discover what other legions are doing to stay alive across the country.
Frank M. Blackwood -
- Frank
- - July 9th, 2010 at 15:22:48
I have to agree with you that our legions are struggling, not just in Newfoundland and Labrador but across Canada.
There seems to be other reasons other than our aging Veterans and our departed comrades. I have supported the RCL for many years and people tell me that they have not always been accepted at the Legion branches, or once they join as a member they don't feel that they have any say in how their legion is managed. There was always that click within the ececutive that turned mant affiliated members away. many have not renewed their membership after one year.
Only good adminstration and good attitude towards others will keep our legions alive. it should not just be a place to drop by for a beer. There is also a risk in having volunteers serving at the bar. What you really need is a good public relations officer who will
get to discover what other legions are doing to stay alive across the country.
Frank M. Blackwood -
- Frank
- - July 9th, 2010 at 15:22:39
I have to agree with you that our legions are struggling, not just in Newfoundland and Labrador but across Canada.
There seems to be other reasons other than our aging Veterans and our departed comrades. I have supported the RCL for many years and people tell me that they have not always been accepted at the Legion branches, or once they join as a member they don't feel that they have any say in how their legion is managed. There was always that click within the ececutive that turned mant affiliated members away. many have not renewed their membership after one year.
Only good adminstration and good attitude towards others will keep our legions alive. it should not just be a place to drop by for a beer. There is also a risk in having volunteers serving at the bar. What you really need is a good public relations officer who will
get to discover what other legions are doing to stay alive across the country.
Frank M. Blackwood
