It’s been a long time coming, but members, guests and executive of Wheatley Legion Branch 324 finally have a home.
On August 26, 2021, a hydrogen sulfide gas explosion rocked the downtown core of Wheatley and with it, the Legion building was deemed unfit for repair.
A few months later, the building came down with the rest of that block and the Legion was without a permanent home up until last Wednesday.
After months of anticipation, the building that took shape on Talbot Street West in Wheatley, opened its doors to the public.
Some 150-or-so people came to the new Legion to check it out, have a refreshment and talk to old friends. Legions from Windsor, Essex and Kingsville sent representatives for the big occasion.
Newly-elected President Tom Brown was beaming from ear-to-ear as he spoke with Past President Dick Whittle. Between the two of them, they helped bring the dream to fruition.
Both Brown and Whittle will be quick to point out that it was a group effort as the Legion executive, members-at-large and the local community rallied around the branch and made it what it is today.
“I’m happy we have a home,” said Brown. “And that’s what it feels like… home.”
Now Branch 324 can get back to business — business that suddenly screeched to a halt on that hot August day five years ago.
New dart boards — many of them courtesy of Kingsville Legion — fill the walls of the new Legion hall and it’s expected that the dart leagues will pick up right where they left off. Many of the Wheatley dart players have been playing in Kingsville for the past five years.
Last Thursday’s trivia night was held at the new branch for the first time, after months of holding them at Joe’s Bar. The weekly meat draws will also be a busy time at the Legion and perhaps most importantly, Remembrance Day can be better observed with the building right there beside the cenotaph.
Brown says they are ready to welcome new members in this 100th year of the Royal Canadian Legion and he hopes people will come out and join.
“It’s a great group of people,” he says. “I’m proud to be their president during this time.”
Brown says they were also thrilled to be open before Fish Festival this past weekend.
They expect to have a Grand Re-opening celebration in the coming weeks.
Many people gathered for the opening and enjoyed the company of others. From left are Dennis Ribble, George Church, Cheryle Church, Donna Corlett and Bob Corlett.
SUN photo by Mark Ribble
