Legion celebrates Great War Memorial Hall’s 100th anniversary

By Lorenzo Gavilan Vargas Times Reporter

May 21 was a significant day for the Strathmore Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, as it marked 100 years since the first sod was turned in the construction of its historic building, the Great War Memorial Hall.

Strathmore’s mayor at the time, G.F. Butler, and Frank Skene, reeve of the Municipal District of Bow Valley, were the first to turn the sod on May 21, 1921. The building finished construction and was opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony over a year later, on July 11, 1922.

At the time of its construction, the building cost an estimated $12,000 and was funded through a combination of public funds, a $2,000 grant from the Municipal District of Bow Valley and a $500 donation from the town of Strathmore. In 2021, adjusting for inflation, this is equal to a total of around $165,000.

Allan Auger, president of the Strathmore legion, says the legion has taken care of the hall for the last 95 years. He describes the organization as being a mainstay of the community.

“Basically, (it’s been) the heart of Strathmore for the last 100 years. It’s served a lot of different purposes. It’s been a dance hall going back as far as 30, 40 years ago; there were 4-H clubs; and it’s been a gathering place for seniors,” said Auger. “There’s been a lot of fun here. We’ve hosted breakfast for the rodeo every year, been a part of the parade that time of year (and) we’ve hosted big barbecues.”

Auger said there will be a celebration on July 11 this year, a celebration that has been a “year or so in the making.”

“We do have some plans in the works, and we want to involve the whole town and the surrounding communities,” said Auger.

Until then, the legion plans on reopening to the public on June 3 and complying with provincial COVID guidelines. More information is available on the legion’s Facebook page.