Revelstoke Legion pulls out the pipes for 100-year Canadian legacy

Royal Canadian Legion’s Branch 46 celebrates centennial with massive meat draw

The Revelstoke Legion raised a glass and doubled down on its meat draw Saturday afternoon in celebration of the Royal Canadian Legion’s centennial and legacy as a community space. Branch 46 flew the Maple Leaf as volunteers and Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Scott McInnis served up burgers and hot dogs for dozens of attendees July 11, while the Revelstoke Highlanders Pipe Band and local band The Rev took turns serenading the city with tunes. The Canadian Legion of the British Empire Services League, as it was originally called, was incorporated in July 1926 as a veteran-based social and advocacy organization.

To this day, “we’re here because of the vets,” branch president Mark McKee told Black Press Media, who jokingly described last weekend’s meat draw being “the world’s biggest” at twice the usual budget of $250 as homage to 100 years of the Royal Canadian Legion. READ: Revelstoke’s Legion skyrockets to 170 members in comeback from 2024 closure Revelstoke’s current Royal Legion building at First Street West and Garden Avenue has stood since the early 1960s, but Branch 46’s legacy dates back decades earlier to when it operated out of a repurposed hospital building before fire destroyed it in 1962.

Today, continuing the century-long tale shared among branches across the country, the Revelstoke Legion draws community members through free events such as karaoke and trivia nights, the Bargain Basement thrift store, meat draws, the Ladies Auxiliary pancake breakfast, special music, dance and drag bingo events, snowpack conferences, first aid training, and practice space for martial arts, roller derby and more. Thanks to its variety of offerings, “we’re noticing more people are coming and participating in events at the Legion,” McKee said, noting more engagement particularly from the younger crowd. “We have a whole new generation that (is) coming.”

He said the facility itself remains an important community meeting space and driving force behind wider well-attended events, including Remembrance Day ceremonies. “These are the things that build the community,” McKee said. “As far as the community support (for the Legion), we’re pretty happy.”

Even in the last year, Branch 46 has seen major growth in programming and membership since transitioning away from a trusteeship to being run by a board of directors. It’s also offered free membership in recent months to encourage more residents to get involved. “It’s a lot of work to keep the Legion running,” said McKee, who initially got involved when it entered trusteeship in 2024 to ensure its doors wouldn’t close.

“A lot of Legions have been shut down across the country for lack of membership.” But relaunched under a new board structure since 2025, “we’re reading our market and making sure we rise to the occasion to provide what (community members) are looking for,” he explained. “That’s a board that’s working their guts out to make this a better place.”

READ: Seeking more skaters, Revelstoke Roller Derby head over wheels about new home McKee described the Royal Canadian Legion, as a wider establishment, playing a valuable role of being there for communities and enhancing their social fabric, as well as reducing residents’ living costs and providing an alternative space to other venues. The Revelstoke Legion will continue pursuing improvements to its “uncooperative building” for AC, insulation and other needs this next year.

Its facility space is available for everyone and “all kinds of user groups,” with McKee also hoping to see more community use of the 1960s-style upstairs dancehall. Members of the public are welcome to notify the board of any improvements they’d like to see as well, and can support Branch 46 by donating, volunteering or participating in the wide variety of events it offers every week. “I want it to be a better facility for when I’m not here,” McKee concluded.