The Ladner Legion is celebrating 90 years of service to the community this year.
Over that history there have been many changes, but what has remained constant is the friendly atmosphere, good food, comradery and giving back for the betterment of Delta.
The Ladner branch was chartered on March 21, 1928 and was originally known as the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League. In 1960, the organization was renamed the Royal Canadian Legion.
The original building was deeded to the Ladner branch in 1945 by the Municipality of Delta and was located where the Ladner Community Centre is now situated. At that time the building housed the Dugout, a servicemen’ s canteen which had been established for the benefit of members of the armed forces stationed in the area. When it closed, an estimated 50,000 armed forces personnel had passed through the doors.
Also around this time a bowling alley was purchased and moved to a building which had been erected adjoining the high school. The branch’s main form of income was from this bowling alley.
In the 1950s, the branch received its liquor licence and was moved to the foot of Delta Street in the heart of Ladner Village. In 1970, a third move was made to the current location on Delta Street.
Branch 61 is the third owner of the building, constructed in 1922 for the Bank of Montreal and later a BC Government Liquor Store.
“Our beer cooler is in the old safe of the bank,” said manager Jacky Hillairet. “Membership in the early days was all veterans. Their wives could not be members back then, but when the Legion brought in the Ladies Auxiliary then the wives could join.”
Hillairet said a lot of Legions around the province have lost their ladies auxiliaries, but Ladner’s is still going strong.
“We have what I would describe as a very young Legion – both members and the ladies auxiliary,” she said. “The LA are very strong. They raise a lot of money for the community.”
Membership is right around the 1,000 mark, which ranks Ladner as the second largest Legion in the province behind Cloverdale.
“I’m fourth generation here in Ladner. There is something about Ladner where if one joins something then others follow because they want to be a part of it too,” she said. “Years ago Ladner was just farming and fishing, and we still have the farmers and the fishermen as members to this day. In the early days, the Legion was the place to be and it still is to a great degree.”
Long-standing executive member Bob Taggart said another reason the Legion is so strong is its warm and inviting atmosphere.
“We welcome the younger ones with open arms. A lot of the older Legions, if you didn’t serve you were not welcome. We wanted the younger ones because we knew that was the only way that the Legion could thrive and survive,” said Taggart. “People feel safe in our Legion. Anyone can come in for a drink, for a meal or to enjoy some entertainment.”
President Al Ridgway said Ladner also continues to have that small town feel.
“So many friendships have been made. Singles will come in for lunch and meet someone and all of a sudden they are both coming in and meeting for lunch once a month,” added Hillairet. “Another thing that makes us a success is our kitchen. It’s fantastic – the food is so good.”
Home to the Delta Police Pipe Band, the Legion is also a meeting place for a number of community groups and organizations.
“It’s just a great community place,” said Ridgway.
