The Royal Canadian Legion veteran branch in Sault Ste. Marie has announced the construction of a new veteran housing project. The nine-story, 107-unit apartment complex will be built on the current site of the Branch 25 Legion on Great Northern Road.
Legion officials said the location makes sense given its proximity to public transit, parks, and shopping. Helen Stewart, president of Branch 25, said the Legion will still operate out of the new facility, with expanded services.
“Each floor will have a common room that we are going to entice psychologists or physiotherapists. Additionally whatever a veteran needs to make his life better in there will be located as well. In this way, vets will have complete access without leaving the building,” said Stewart.
Branch 25 sits on the site of the former Wawanosh Residential School for Girls. Stewart said the memorial for the school will remain where it is.
“We made that perfectly clear when we were first approached. When the first drawings came out, we pointed that the memorial cannot be moved, it has to stay there,” she said. “It is part of the whole history of the area and especially this property.”
The Legion said the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association has confirmed there is a “high probability of no unmarked burials in the area.”
Sam Biasucci, general manager of Sal Dan Developments, said the project is ready to go pending final approval from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
“Once we have received that, we’re basically ready to actually commence construction,” said Biasucci. “We have everything that we need from the municipality for every aspect of construction.” Royal Canadian Legion veteran. (continue reading)
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