Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.
Two months since Edmonton’s Norwood Legion abruptly shut its doors, management has not publicly explained the ongoing closure.
The historic branch, located in the Edmonton inner city neighbourhood of Cromdale, has served area veterans and their families since 1946.
On Feb. 2, officials with the Norwood Legion Branch 178 announced in a post on its website that the branch would be temporarily closed due to “administrative reasons.”
“We appreciate your patience while we deal with this matter and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause,” the post stated. “Our executive board is working as quickly as possible to get our branch up and running again.”
The notice urged members and patrons of the nonprofit to await updates on the operation of the site. No further updates have been made.
The branch includes a bar, lounge and events space in the building located just east of downtown. The doors are locked and the phone line has been disconnected.
Regular events, including the trademark meat raffles, karaoke nights, live concerts and auxiliary clubs, have been cancelled. Meanwhile, the branch’s unique slate of events — including professional wrestling matches and a dart league — have relocated elsewhere.
Details expected this week
In April 2022, a GoFundMe fundraising campaign was launched by the Norwood Legion. According to the posting, the branch had been “hit hard with financial stress from COVID and aging internal infrastructure” and needed community assistance to help pay for its operational costs and necessary repairs.
Local management, including Norwood Legion president Steven Ewaschuk, have declined interview requests from CBC News and directed all questions about the closure to the Alberta-NWT Command office.
In an emailed statement to CBC News on March 13, Alberta-NWT Command officials said a public statement would be issued following a planned meeting among the Norwood membership. Officials did not say when the meeting would occur and have released no additional details since.
National organization officials said the situation is outside their jurisdiction but told CBC News that more details are expected to be released to the community this week.
According to a 2015 publication of Royal Canadian Legion branch histories, the Norwood Branch 178 is known as “the Fun Legion.”
The building that houses the branch was completed in 1958 with the majority of funding donated by members, according to the branch history.
The original Charter, received in February 1946, restricted ordinary membership to Canadian veterans of Ukrainian descent. That restriction is no longer in effect but the branch has retained some traditions including annual Ukrainian Christmas celebrations and a regular menu offerings of cabbage rolls and perogies.
Like many legions across the country, the Norwood has a history of financial issues and infrastructure challenges and has adapted its mandate to keep pace with community demands.