City of Kitchener presenting a report to council to convert Canadian Legion Branch 50
Posted May 20, 2016 11:43:16 AM.
Last Updated May 21, 2016 05:50:44 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The City of Kitchener will be presenting a report to council to turn the Canadian Legion Branch 50 building, located on Ontario Street into an arts hub.
Silvia Di Donatio is the Manager of Arts and Culture for the city and she says “we’re going to council to seek direction on community engagement. The community engagement is a result of a lot of interest in bringing this building in full use and vitality. That converges with a lot we heard from the community for an affordable arts space.”
The city is considering selling the property, leasing the property as an arts hub or a combination of both.
The report will be presented to council on May 30th.
The building was built in 1914 by Bell Telephone Co. and was home to their offices from 1914 until 1941. During World War Two, the building was occupied by the Unemployment Insurance Commission from 1942 until 1944 and by the Employment and Selective Service Office from 1945 until 1946. After World War Two, it became home to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 50 from 1946 until 2001.
Di Donatio adds the city inspects it on a regular basis.
“The building is regularly inspected, it’s maintained and kept secured. It’s taken care of to make sure heat and hydro works to keep the building sound.”
It has been unoccupied since 2001.
The University of Waterloo’s drama department held a site specific drama production in the building in 2007. That production was named “Legion of Memory”. It explored stories of war refugees who came to live in Kitchener-Waterloo from all around the world.
It is currently listed on the Municipal Heritage Register.
