It has been in Burnaby Heights longer than most residents, but if Legion Branch No. 148 can't find a way to make money, it could be gone.
The Legion is looking at its options, including possibly selling the property to a developer and making some arrangement for space in a new building on the site, branch president Dave Taylor said.
"Even if we don't have the club, we will go on," he added.
The branch's charter was established in 1937. Members, including Taylor, have seen the community grow up around it.
"We've survived for a number of years," he said.
Now it seems increasing property assessments - resulting in higher property taxes - are pushing the Legion out, he added.
Taylor has repeatedly approached city council for full tax exemption for the branch, but the city continues to only provide an exemption for the Legion's community space, not it's canteen, which is considered competition for local bars.
"Politicians seem to view us as a photo-op on Remembrance Day, that's about it," Taylor said of council's response to the Legion.
The branch has not been able to pay this year's tax bill as of yet, he added, but has managed to cover the interest thus far.
"If we paid the taxes, the doors would be closed right now," he said, adding that aside from some reserves, "We're out of funds, basically."
Money to cover staff, bills, and taxes comes directly from the cash register at the Legion, Taylor explained, as money from its fundraising drives is strictly mandated to be given to community organizations.
Membership dropped years ago from between 600 and 700 to just over 400, he added, but has not continued to drop off since then.
"I swore in two new members at the last meeting," he said.
The primary issue for the Legion is the high property tax, which Taylor said is about $41,000 after the city's partial tax exemption.
Taylor has spoken with one developer who came forward with a possible plan, but wants to speak to a few more interested developers before going to the membership with a recommendation, he said.
The ideal plan for the Legion would be a multi-story, mixed-use building, with an arrangement made for the Legion to have the ground floor, with the ability to receive rent for any of the space it doesn't use, according to Taylor.
One possibility is locating the Legion at the back of the development, with an entrance at the front, he added.
An expert in development from the Legion's Pacific Command is coming in to look at the property and give his thoughts on what would work best, Taylor said.
There are some zoning restrictions in the area that could limit the possibilities, he said, adding he has spoken with the city planning department to get an idea of what's possible.
Basil Luksun, director of the city's planning and building department, said there have been some preliminary discussions with the Legion.
The plan for the area would allow a four-storey, mixed-use building, he said.
The zoning for the area generally requires clubs be above ground level, on the second floor, Luksun said, but added that through comprehensive development zoning, an alternative suitable plan could be approved.
