Branch 351 is betting on a building-sized lifeline to preserve their mission.
The downtown Ottawa headquarters of the Montgomery Legion, where veterans have gathered for support, meals, and camaraderie for over half a century, is now on the market.
Decades of service haven’t spared Branch 351 from financial strain. Rising expenses, a declining membership, and the upkeep of an aging building have pushed the Legion to list their 9,500-square-foot home. Leaders hope the sale will keep their mission alive, even as they prepare to leave a space filled with memories.
“I can remember coming in here as a young soldier in the seventies and eighties, and it was a going place,” said Robert Buss, president of Branch 351 and a retired army reservist with over 24 years of service.
“At one time, this was one of the busiest, most active legions in the city, (but) times have changed.”
The decision to sell comes after years of tightening budgets. A $100,000 elevator replacement in 2023 drained funds already stretched thin. Further repairs to the aging infrastructure could push the branch into deeper financial difficulty.
“If we have another major issue, we can’t afford to deal with it,” Buss said, describing the branch as “cash-poor, asset-rich.” Revenue from events and membership dues has slowed, leaving the Legion struggling to cover basic costs.
During a recent meeting — one of the largest in recent years — around 40 members gathered to discuss the future of the branch. Only one person dissented to listing the building, said Buss.
A home with a history
Built in 1964, the Legion property includes a bar topped with stained glass from its original hall, a large event space with a stage, and functional spaces like offices and a cafeteria. It was designed for a busy membership, hosting Remembrance Day ceremonies, Friday night dinners, dart leagues, and bingo.
Evening Update
Surrounded by Centretown businesses, restaurants, and retail, the prime location is expected to draw strong interest from developers and investors.
“We’ve been told that the market is good for us right now, that there’s a lot of interest in this kind of space in the downtown area,” Buss said.
Just down the street at 359 Kent Street, a new 27-storey residential tower is in the works, set to integrate the historic facade of Legion House — formerly the main office of the Royal Canadian Legion’s Dominion Command.
Approved by Ottawa’s built heritage committee in January, the project from Taggart Realty Management will dismantle and reconstruct the building’s east and south limestone façades on the original footprint, with the north and west sides rebuilt in modern materials.
The high-rise will bring 289 residential units and four levels of underground parking to Kent Street, and restore two heritage houses from the late 1800s on MacLaren Street.
“Our hope is that somebody will buy the building and rent us back part of the space. We’re committed to continuing the work we’re doing,” said Buss.
A key part of that work is the Poppy Campaign, an effort that places poppy boxes across Ottawa to raise funds for veterans’ housing, local cadet corps, homeless services, and service dogs for those with PTSD.
Every year, the branch distributes thousands of poppies throughout the community, a task now managed by seven members — a fraction of the 50 volunteers they could count on in the past. Despite the drop in manpower, Buss said dedication remains strong, as evidenced by the 1,400 poppy boxes set up by those few members in just three days.
“Without selling our building, we just cannot generate the income to stay afloat,” said Buss. “If we had to rent an office to maintain our status and do our Poppy Campaign, that’s what we would do.”
Selling, not surrendering
Next year’s 80th anniversary of Branch 351 looms large over the decision to sell. Buss acknowledged the emotional weight of moving before such a milestone, calling it necessary but difficult.
“When would the timing ever be ideal?” he said.
The listing also comes before Remembrance Day, a time when the Legion’s presence and outreach are most visible in the community. Yet, Buss believes the best course of action is to keep the branch operating and fulfilling its mission.
“We get a lot of veterans in this area, especially transient veterans who walk through our door. We’re not going to give up on them at all.”
