Memorial Hall

This memorial was named "Memorial Hall" in 1947, in honour of those who did not return and those who did return from the Second World War. The following is an excerpt from Royal Canadian Legion - BC/Yukon Branches - Commemorative History Booklet: Branch 189 of The Royal Canadian Legion was granted its Charter in 1946. It had 25 members at that time and meetings were held in the old apple packing plant located on the corner of Oyama and Trasks Roads in Oyama. Apple crates were the furniture of the day. In 1946, the Town of Oyama proposed that an addition be added to the old Community Hall located on the adjacent corner from the packing house. The name would be changed to "Memorial Hall" in honour of those who had not returned from World War II and those who had. A grant was obtained from the Government to help pay for the project and all the apple growers in the Oyama area also wanted to help with the fundraising. They donated ? cents from the sale of each box of apples, a very generous amount in those days. The extension was completed in 1947. Throughout this time period, the legion members were looking for a permanent meeting room. The Army was selling off buildings and the Legion hoped to acquire one. Negotiations with CN Rail were undertaken to put one of these buildings on their property. The community suggested that the Legion move into the basement of the newly renovated Memorial Hall. In 1949, the Legion was able to lease the lower north end of the Memorial hall. The room at the time consisted of a dirt floor with cinder block walls and of course apple crate furniture. A beer license was issued to the Branch and the recruitment drive for new members was on. In the early 1950's with help from volunteers from the Memorial hall and the Branch, a cement floor was laid. The project was overseen by Mr. Bill Witzke, a master of cement. By the late 1950's the Legion membership had increased so much that additional space was required. The upper lounge was built with all volunteer labour. Today, 59 years later, the Legion still leases from the Community the space it started out in.