'Paradigm shift' for northern Ontario legion that's now also a home for veterans

Some veterans in Sault Ste. Marie will only have to get on an elevator to attend Remembrance Day services this year.

This is the first Nov. 11 since Legion Branch 25 opened its new multi-million-dollar complex in the northern Ontario city, including a 108-unit apartment tower that is home to a few dozen veterans.

Branch president Pierre Breckenridge says they received over 500 applications for the apartments, but the priority was given to veterans, their families or members of the legion, who now make up more than half of their tenants.

"We wanted to create a community that was supportive of each other. We never excluded anybody, we just made the priority those folks," said Breckenridge, who served over 40 years in the military reserves. 

"They come down in their slippers and have breakfast."

This vision for the branch came about five years ago when the legion had their property for sale and were then approached by Sault Ste. Marie developer SalDan, pitching a partnership on an apartment tower.

Breckenridge says the money coming in from the tenants will help the legion focus more on helping veterans and the community, rather than paying monthly bills.  

He calls it a "paradigm shift" for a non-profit organization.  

"It's a different way of thinking. The revenue now is more driven by the success of the apartment complex as opposed to slugging beer or having small raffles," Breckenrdige said. 

"We won't have the pressure to make money every single month."

Membership at the Sault Ste. Marie legion has jumped up from 530 before the old branch was demolished to 880 today.