So many Sundre residents demonstrate every year their commitment to honour Canada's past- and present-day soldiers and veterans that the local Legion Hall finds itself overwhelmed beyond seating capacity on Remembrance Day.
Because of the number of people who end up standing in the back of the hall or wherever they can find a modicum of space, the president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 223 of Sundre wrote town officials a letter requesting the use of the community centre for the service at no charge.
“On November 11 each year, the Legion Hall is full to capacity and does not have enough room for all those who would like to attend,” reads the letter written by Chris Ferguson.
“The Legion would like to know if the Town of Sundre would consider waiving the rental fees in order to conduct the Remembrance Day ceremonies in the more suitable hall.”
Council had a very brief discussion that barely lasted a couple of minutes.
“Why would you ever say ‘no' to the legion requesting that, because they get people who come out,” said Mayor Terry Leslie, asking council to make a motion.
Coun. Cheri Funke inquired where the funds from the waived rental fee would be made up.
“Do we have a community donations (reserve) to pull this from? I'm just curious as to where it would come from,” she said.
Vic Pirie, director of finance and administration, said funding remains available in a reserve for community events, which council has previously used to support other local activities.
“But in this case we would just simply waive the fee,” he said.
Council proceeded to carry a motion to waive the Sundre Community Centre's rental fee for the legion's annual Remembrance Day service.
