Prince George Legion renews push for new hall and veterans housing

“There was, at about that time, 8,000 to 10,000 soldiers here when the population of Prince George was about 2,000,” Douglass said. “So you can imagine the impact that the military made back then in our area.”

Douglass describes the area west of Central Street toward the base of University Hill as “ground zero” for the former military presence. Today, that area includes the exhibition grounds and CN Centre.

That history is part of the reason supporters believe the site at Ospika and 22nd is a natural fit for a new Legion facility.

But history is only part of the argument.

The proposal would go beyond simply replacing the Legion’s current hall. The vision also includes housing geared toward veterans and seniors, something supporters believe could help the city address two needs with a single development.

Douglass says the relocation group examined other potential sites before settling on the property.

“We looked at other possible locations,” he said. “There were a few that would be suitable for what we wanted to accomplish, including having not only a Legion, but also having seniors veteran housing.”

The location, he said, offers access to restaurants, entertainment and recreational facilities while remaining centrally located.

“There’s no better location for us,” Douglass said. “It makes sense again because of the history.”

The Legion has previously encountered reluctance over the site, but supporters hope the arrival of a significantly changed mayor and council will provide new momentum.

Douglass says the committee began talking to candidates even before the election.

“We’ve had meetings with some candidates, some of which got elected, just to see where their minds were at and to present them a little bit of a history of our proposal,” he said.

“And so we’re very confident on mayor and council moving forward that they believe in this project and want to support us in this project.”

One of those new councillors is Dan McLaren, who says he is prepared to support a sensible proposal that provides both a gathering place and housing for veterans.

“Well, I think there’s no greater cause than the service to Canada that our military provides,” McLaren said. “And the test to how much we support our military is how much we support our veterans.”

McLaren said the impact of a new facility would extend beyond former members of the military themselves.

“I have no problem in endorsing any kind of sensible plan that’s going to create housing for veterans, a place for veterans to gather, and even friends and family of veterans,” he said.

“Because sometimes the veteran community isn’t just the veteran themselves, it’s their spouse and their extended family.”

McLaren said his discussions with Legion representatives have so far been informal, but made his position clear.

“They’ll get every bit of support that I can give them.”

The housing component is also a significant part of the case being made by longtime veterans advocate Shirley Bond.

Bond says governments have been looking for ways to increase housing supply, with seniors among those in need of additional options.

“So from our perspective, this project offers the municipality a chance to increase the number of housing units which they’re required to do, at least by the past provincial government, and at the same time enhance the quality of life for veterans and for seniors in our community,” Bond said.

“That’s pretty much a win-win from our perspective.”

McLaren argues the project could provide housing to older British Columbians with limited financial resources.

“The sweet spot that you’re talking about are usually going to be older British Columbians that don’t have a lot of money, and these projects are usually means-tested,” he said.

“The point is, it’s going to go to those who need it most. But more importantly, I will say, have earned it most because they’re veterans.”

Bond says combining a Legion hall with housing would not be unprecedented.

“We’ve seen across the country examples of legions that include housing,” she said. “This isn’t reinventing the wheel.”

For Bond, the proposal is also about ensuring the Legion itself remains viable.

She says Legion branches across Canada have struggled with the financial and volunteer resources needed to keep their doors open.

“So why not look at something that’s visionary?” Bond said. “This is an opportunity for our community to reflect on the importance of having a Legion, increase housing options for veterans and for seniors, and create other opportunities in a new facility.”

The project still faces a fundamental hurdle: securing the land.

Douglass says the property is city-owned land that was granted to the municipality by the province, meaning proponents will continue working with both levels of government as they try to move the project forward.

Bond says that work will continue with the new political players around the table.

“We have new representatives at the municipal table, but we have a brand new government in Victoria as well,” she said. “And so we have our work cut out for us.”

But there is added urgency for the Legion.

Its lease on its current facility is set to expire at the end of the year, and each renewal brings higher costs for an organization already facing financial pressure.

For supporters, that makes the search for a permanent solution about considerably more than bricks and mortar. They see an opportunity to preserve an institution connected to Prince George’s military past while giving veterans and seniors another housing option for the future.

As Bond puts it, the goal is to do two things at once: “keep the Legion viable and operating, and add new housing opportunities.”

by Cheryl Jahn

Prince George Legion renews push for new hall and veterans housing

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