As he prepares for another term as president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 73, Bob Penner has a dream.
“I’d like to see more people utilizing the Legion,” he says.
It’s not as though this is a new goal. Indeed in his seven previous terms as president, Penner has sought to bring more activity to the venerable facility.
Some efforts worked, some failed and some – such as the upcoming Flin Flon Has Talent competition – have yet to be tested.
To be sure, the Legion remains a viable and respected institution in Flin Flon. With a membership of about 460, it is the envy of many local organizations.
Regular activities such as dart nights, weekly bingos and meat draws attract people who might otherwise find no reason to visit the Legion.
But Penner knows the facility could be better utilized – and that with more people comes fresh ideas.
He hopes not only to attract new members, but also see existing members become more involved.
Penner himself has been with the Legion since the mid-1970s, becoming an active member in 1995.
This will mark his eighth term as president, fresh off a year in which he was a key player in the restoration of the Cenotaph.
The Hill St. monument underwent a costly overhaul that included a new cement pad and black wrought-iron gating.
At one point Penner had hoped to install an elevator at the Legion, but he said the project failed to receive grant money.
The reason? Officials with the grant program thought a contractor’s bid to install the elevator was unrealistically cheap.
A retired chief plant protection officer for Hudbay, Penner was acclaimed to the Legion presidency this year after no other candidates stepped forward.
The entire Legion executive has also been acclaimed: first vice-president Andy Stewart, second vice-president Ron Baschuk, Sgt-at-Arms John Mensch, and directors Isabel Stewart, Perry Burton, Bernie Cluff and Terry Smith.
The executive members will be installed next month, likely on Dec. 15.
Bob Penner is back as Legion president, having been acclaimed to the 2013-14 term.
FILE PHOTO
