From left, Jason Mallott, Karyn Berry and Elaine Potter work the bar at Penticton's new legion on Brunswick Avenue.

(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)

PENTICTON - It’s been a long haul, but the Penticton Legion is now in its new quarters and the beer has begun to flow.

Legion president Bob Sudbury says they got the call from Victoria yesterday granting their liquor license, and the legion’s doors opened to thirsty members at 11 a.m. today, Aug. 1.

Sudbury says the legion has been limited to two special events licenses since April 21 after moving to the former Anavets (Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans) headquarters at 257 Brunswick St. from the legion’s former address at 502 Martin St. 

“The former Martin Avenue building became too expensive. When the Anavets building available, we made the move,” Sudbury says.

“A lot of work has been done, painting, cleaning. We’re putting in a brand new kitchen, and once that’s complete we’ll have food service.”

The move to Brunswick Street has generated a lot of interest, as a number of legion members already lived in the neighbourhood. He says a number of new memberships have been handed out recently.

The move also resulted in some housecleaning, as the facility is smaller than the Martin Street location.

“Anyone need a picture of Queen Elizabeth? We’ve got lots, and we only need one for the wall here," Sudbury says.

“The inside has been painted and the bar has been redone, the place looks like a legion now.”

Hours of operation for the legion are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. until closing for other days of the week, depending on how busy things are. He says meat draws will resume this weekend, taking place on Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m., with karaoke beginning next Friday night.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.

News from © iNFOnews, 2019