NEWS RELEASE
ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION, BRANCH 147
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On Thursday, MPP Doug Downey and MPP Andrea Khanjin met with the members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 147 to hear directly from them about the impact that a $144,600 capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) has had on its operations.
The grant, awarded in late 2022, enabled the legion to make some key capital upgrades to its building that will make a positive difference now and in the future.
“Veterans are the heart of our community, and for many years the Legion has been a place for them to gather, to remember, to celebrate and to connect,” said Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte. “This funding will help ensure the legion remains a space where all can gather and share in the spirit of community.”
When the legion received word that its grant application had been successful, it began a few different capital projects almost immediately. So far, the grant has helped with the cost of replacing the floor in the main hall that had been worn down due to years of foot traffic and asbestos found contained within the tiles.
It also used the funds to replace and resurface exterior stairs and it’s also replacing the legion with a more modern and efficient unit. And by the end of the summer, a new roof top air conditioner will be in place.
“It is important that we remember the service of our veterans everyday and fulfill our obligations to our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free,” said Andrea Khanjin, MPP for Barrie-Innisfil. “This capital grant of $144,600 will allow the Barrie legion, Branch 147 to be upgraded and improved to continue to serve our local Veterans and their families, along with our community.”
“The impact of this Ontario Trillium Foundation grant cannot be underestimated,” said Marcel Vincent, president, Legion Branch 147. “This grant has seriously allowed us to upgrade and replace infrastructure within the building. It would not be possible to make these replacements without the financial support from OTF. We want to continue to make our legion a destination, not only for veterans but also the public as well. This has been a huge contribution.”
The Legion is committed to preserving this space for remembrance and recognition. The public is always welcome and the legion will remain accessible for many community activities and events. If you wish to inquire about using the space for your meetings or hosting an event, please visit our website
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), an agency of the Government of Ontario, and one of Canada’s leading granting foundations celebrates 40 years of grant-making in Ontario and making a lasting impact in communities. Last year, OTF invested over $110 million into 1,022 community projects and partnerships. Click here to learn more.
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