Latest news with #RichardEtmanski
Global News
08-07-2025
- Business
- Global News
Edmonton's Kingsway Legion to consider moving, other options due to cost of facility
The Kingsway branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in northeast Edmonton is a large facility supported by nearly 1,100 members. But the branch's president says the cost of running it, coupled with there being a lack of events that can bring in sufficient revenue, means he and all those members need to consider options to sustain the chapter of the veterans' organization. 'I find it's too big for what we're getting value for,' Richard Etmanski told Global News on Tuesday, adding that when the facility opened about 13 years ago, it 'was busy all the time.' Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, forcing people to stay home. 'It's taken a long time to rebuild,' Etmanski said, before explaining that the cost-of-living crisis has now taken its toll on the legion's rebound from the pandemic. 'Ninety per cent of our clientele are seniors, so a lot of them are living on fixed incomes. And the price of everything has gone — (it's) skyrocketing. People are really picking and choosing where they're going and how they're spending their money.' Story continues below advertisement The legion's costs have become harder to keep up with as well, Etmanski noted, explaining that taxes, mortgage payments and utility costs have become more difficult to manage, especially as the legion struggles to bring in younger Edmontonians to make use of it. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'There are so many other venues out there and a lot of the younger people seem to think this is just an old boys' club — just old guys telling war stories,' he said. 'Which is very far from the truth.' A special meeting has been scheduled for July 29 where Etmanski plans to put forward a motion to members to be given the authority to pursue the sale of the property the legion currently occupies and to buy a smaller property. Etmanski said while he supports the idea of selling the larger facility in favour of purchasing a smaller one, the legion could also consider trying to lease out half the building. He said a sale could potentially result in more money in the bank, making it easier to keep up with the cost of running even a smaller facility. 'We're still making ends meet but eventually it will catch up and the last thing we want to do is lose this building to the bank,' Etmanski said. Bill O'Brien, 86, is a member of the legion who said he lives close by and spends a lot of time at the facility 'doing all kinds of odd jobs.' Story continues below advertisement 'I have mixed feelings,' he said when asked about what he thinks of potentially selling the building and relocating to a different space. 'I would like to see us hire a business manager. I think maybe we could recover but without that we're doomed.' Like Etmanski, O'Brien said he believes the legion struggles to entice younger people to use the facility because they view it as an old boys' club. 'We'd like to see younger people come,' he acknowledged. 'That's what we need. 'I don't know where the people went. We miss them.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I don't know where the people went. We miss them." Etmanski, who was voted in as the Kingsway branch's president in the fall, said that even though the legion has nearly 1,100 members, monthly general meetings normally see fewer than 50 people turn up. When special events are held at the legion, about 200 people normally attend. In his last newsletter to members, Etmanski described the Kingsway legion as being embroiled in an 'endless battle to keep the branch afloat.' –with files from Jasmine King, Global News
CTV News
04-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Edmonton's Kingsway Legion looking to downsize, considering sale
Edmonton's largest legion is considering downsizing. Kingsway Legion Branch #175 has called a special meeting to discuss the sale of its building, due to ongoing financial strain. Veteran Richard Etmanski, Branch #175 president, said it comes as bills and building repairs have left the legion 'mortgage poor.' 'They were doing fine when the building first opened and there were a lot of events going on in here, but then COVID hit and that caused a lot of problems,' Etmanski said. The branch, like many other Royal Canadian Legion branches, struggled during the COVID-19 pandemic, as public health measures eliminated revenue from event rentals, canteens and bars. In 2022, Branch #175 launched a GoFundMe that raised $63,540 to help pay the bills and make repairs to the building. A series of meat draws organized by 100.3 The Bear helped raise another $85,000 for the cause and, that June, Edmonton city council voted to support the branch's request for tax relief on more than $48,000 in penalties and interest. Etmanski said the legion has been keeping its 'head afloat' since, but it needs to think ahead. A sale, he added, would allow them to buy a smaller building and put some money in the bank. 'We can't keep up,' he said. 'We're just barely making things meet … it's either that or have somebody win the lotto and pay off our mortgage.' Should members not want to sell, Etmanski said another option would be to lease out part of the building. With files from CTV News Edmonton's Marek Tkach
