Stayner Legion welcomed members and dignitaries to the branch on Sept. 11 to celebrate the completion of a comprehensive renovation project, made possible through a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

As of 2003, the Legion located in a former police station of Highway 26, which had also been a funeral home and car dealership.

“Over the years that followed the building was in dire need of some much needed upgrades,” said second vice president James Brown, adding that the building did not have a proper functioning kitchen, which is now a source of pride for the branch.

The $196,200 grant funded upgrades to lighting, electrical service, heating and cooling, ceilings, paint, trim, and a new kitchen complete with commercial grade appliances. (The project actually came in $5,000 under budget and the surplus has been returned to the Ontario Trillium Foundation.)

“It has been quite a transformation over the last two years, bringing our kitchen up to meet current health and safety requirements,” said Brown.

“These updated facilities will benefit the community through enhanced appearance and modernization thus allowing for more community social activities, providing meals to the community while meeting the needs of our seniors, veterans and community as a whole, and enticing other community groups to use our facilities.”

Brown thanked his fellow Trillium committee members, and all involved. Branch executive member Mike O’Callaghan made a point of thanking Brown for his hard work and dedication to the project before presenting a video documenting the progress.

Trina Berlo photo: Stayner Legion second vice president James Brown is flanked by Jamie Berman from MPP Brian Saunderson’s office and Sergeant at arms Dave Gillis.