By Cecilia Nasmith
Remembrance Day will find members and guests of the Cobourg Royal Canadian Legion branch following up their 10:30 a.m. cenotaph service with lunch at the Victoria Hall Concert Hall.
The motion to make this facility available was made at council this week by Councillor Adam Bureau.
The old Legion hall on Orr Street has been vacated, and the branch moved across the street to 135 Orr St. - on the ground floor of the new condominium being built in what was formerly their parking lot. But, as Bureau pointed out, they are not really open yet and are still awaiting their liquor license.
Bureau's motion not only gives them the use of the Concert Hall for their post-service lunch but also waives the costs. This would cover the rental, security arrangements and staff time that otherwise would have resulted in a bill for $414.64.
Deputy Mayor Suzanne Seguin pointed out that the Concert Hall has no kitchen. She also wondered if it was an open event or an invitation-only one – and who would check vaccination certificates?
Like many events at the Concert Hall, Chief Administrative Officer Tracey Vaughan pointed out, it would be catered.
“We would work with the Legion to ensure proper safe food-handling protocols are in place,” Vaughan said.
Deputy Director of Community Service Teresa Behan said it is an invitation-only event. COVID protocols will be in place, she said – keeping one's mask unless seated, for example – and staff would check vaccination credentials and ensure that the hall's capacity of 160 is not exceeded.
Meanwhile, Councillor Nicole Beatty reported that demolition of the old Legion hall across the street is expected to begin soon.
“It's a piece of history that can't be replicated, but the memories will live on in the new location across the street,” Beatty said.
