Legion drumming up support for station move
Published Saturday July 4th, 2009
Two groups remain hard at work in their separate bids to become the new tenant of the old York Street train station.
Members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 4 have been marshalling support as they explore the possibility of acquiring the historic site and turning it into their new home.
Sources say NB Liquor is also trying to negotiate a lease for the site.
NB Liquor spokeswoman Nora Lacey said the file is "status quo," reiterating comments she made last week that the Crown corporation is still in discussions over the property, but that there have been no further developments.
A spokesman for J.D. Irving Ltd., the company that owns the property, said there are no developments to report regarding the 86-year-old building.
Members of the downtown legion branch gave unanimous consent last month to exploring the potential of turning the train station into their new home.
Branch president Jean-Guy Perreault said they've been getting plenty of public support for their interest in the train station.
"Everybody I talk to - veterans, people calling me - they are saying what a great idea," he said.
Legion members think the site would be a fitting one for the group given the link to veterans.
J.D. Irving has been trying for several years to get a commercial venture at the site. It has said the $2-million price tag to restore the station is best paid for as part of a larger business venture.
Arden Gorman is an 85-year-old veteran of the Second World War who trained at the Exhibition Grounds before leaving for Europe where he helped liberate the Netherlands. He said he still remembers boarding a train at the station in 1943.
"A lot of soldiers and airmen went through here," Gorman said as he looked through the fence surrounding the property.
He said he'd love to see it refurbished and turned into a place of honour for veterans.
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