Ogden's old legion building to be demolished amid safety concerns

A former legion building's demise continues a record year for demolitions in Calgary, but this tear-down has been called for by people living in Ogden for years.

Many people in the southeast Calgary neighbourhood have called for the former Royal Canadian Legion 154 building to be torn down for a long time, and the city is now moving forward with this effort.

A judicial review by the building's owner to stop its demolition was dismissed by the Court of King's Bench, allowing the city to step in and proceed with tearing the structure down. The city said in a statement that the legion building's owner has employed a demolition company to begin this process.

WATCH | Former Calgary legion building to finally be demolished

Legion building in Ogden headed for the wrecking ball

4 days ago

Duration 1:52

Residents had tried unsuccessfully for years to get the derelict building torn down, Now the City of Calgary says the building's owner has hired a demolition company to begin the process.

"Our department will work with the owner and the demolition company until the work has been completed," wrote city spokesperson Kaila Lagran.

The city added it will also step in and complete the demolition, if the building's owner and the demolition company do not.

'An incredible eyesore'

The old legion building was once a vibrant social hub, but it has now become "an incredible eyesore," said Lorraine Robinson, president of the Millican Ogden Community Association.

"It was a great location, a great facility," said Robinson, who used to enjoy the building's curling rink and auditorium.

The building fell into disrepair after it was sold in 2012. It's stood empty since then, aside from vandals and squatters, said Robinson.

Safety concerns expressed by community's residents led to frequent responses by police officers and the fire department, which in turn led the city to deem it an unsafe building.

With those concerns in mind, the city ordered the building owner to demolish it in 2023, which has now begun.

"That is great, great news for the community," said Robinson, who added the building's current state often leavs many with a poor impression of Ogden.

"You come into our community and that's the first thing you see. It's very disheartening to see this building the way it is."

The future of the land is uncertain once the old legion building has been demolished, but Robinson believes anything, even an empty plot of land, would be an improvement from the current building.

No timeline has been established on when the demolition will be completed.