Fort Garry Royal Canadian Legion Branch closes for good

A place for Winnipeg veterans to find comfort and camaraderie has closed down, as the Fort Garry Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion has shut its doors for good.

“We had not too long ago 1,200 members when we closed on Nov. 29; we were down to 274 members,” said Garry Reid, the vice-president of the Fort Garry Legion Branch 90.

“It was not the success we’d hoped it would be.”

On Monday, legion leadership put up signage at the now-empty 762 Pembina Highway, open since June 2022.

“We lost money every month that we were here,” said Reid. 

The current location hosted the Fort Garry Legion after it relocated from the previous location at 1126 Pembina Highway, which opened in 1947. Reid said research into area demographics indicated the location was perfect, but the patrons didn’t follow; the pandemic was just one factor at play.

“We put on dances. We had Chase the Ace. We had meat draws, and we had great bands coming here, but we just couldn’t get them through the doors,” said Reid. 

He said at a recent general meeting, the decision was made to amalgamate the Fort Garry location with the Osborne Legion, with all of its assets, remaining funds, and members being transferred over, noting that while the physical location may be gone, it’s not goodbye. 

“That’s what we’re hoping, that the spirit will carry on with the Osborne Branch.”

The Manitoba and Northwest Provincial Command, which represents Legion branches in the province, said the joining will combine both volunteer forces and resources for effective operation of the new branch, saying other locations are safe. 

“Currently, there are no other Legions within Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario that are at risk of closing their doors. Many Branches have long-tenured executive boards who have been and continue to be dedicated to the perpetuation of their branches within their communities,” said the Manitoba and Northwest Provincial Command in a statement.

Reid also stressed that while the Fort Garry Branch is no more, the work the Legion does to support the community, armed forces, and veterans will continue.

“That’s the whole concept of the Legion, we service our armed forces, we service our veterans, and we will remember them,” said Reid.