Legion’s housing application turned down

Posted by John Malloy on 04/27/2010

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Chris Fell, Staff -

The Meaford Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion has to make some tough decisions about its future after its application for infrastructure funding to construct a new affordable housing development, along with a new Legion clubhouse was turned down by the upper levels of government.

Legion First Vice-President Steven Rice brought the bad news to Meaford council’s regular meeting held on Monday night (April 26).

The Legion had recently rezoned its property to allow for the construction of an affordable housing development. Legion officials hoped that the development would lead to a revitalization of the property and the branch. Part of the proposed project was the construction of a new clubhouse for the Legion. The previous Legion clubhouse was closed last year due to the declining condition of the building.

“Unfortunately our application for affordable housing was declined,” Rice told council. “There were four other applications from Grey County that were also declined. It’s an unfortunate situation for Meaford and our branch,” said Rice.

The news from Rice clearly disappointed members of council. The municipality was very supportive of the Legion’s proposal and planning staff did outstanding work to get the necessary zoning in place for the project.

Rice told council that the Legion is not going to close, but that its next step had to be decided at a general meeting of its membership.

“We’re having a special meeting in the near future. We don’t know what we’re going to do at this point,” said Rice. “I want to make it perfectly clear that our Branch is not going anywhere. We continue to hold our meetings at the Rod and Gun Club at the base,” said Rice, who noted that another round of infrastructure funding is coming forward and that the Legion may explore opportunities for future funding.

“Many of our veterans fought to the bitter end and we will do the same,” said Rice.

Mayor Francis Richardson expressed council’s disappointment that the application had been turned  down.

“We’re just as sorry as you that it is not good news. It’s not good news for the county that none of its applications were approved,” said the Mayor. “It’s important to know that Plan B is in place. On the weekend the rumour had it that the Legion is closing. We’re glad that’s not the case,” he said…

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Posted by John Malloy on 04/27/2010. Filed under Meaford. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry