Residents at Pioneer Lodge & House joined Administrator Joy Bell as they celebrated a gift of $11,000 from the Lloydminster Royal Canadian Legion No. 39, Friday afternoon.
Treasurer Jim Leckie says last year the local legion donated $11,000. However, the members wanted to give twice that amount. So this time they are giving another $11,000 which will assist with renovations to rooms. He explained the money was raised from their gaming funds.
“Twice a month we hold a $100-draw. We call it a grand draw. We sell a 100 tickets at $20 a ticket and we have a draw on the Saturday. And a person wins $1000. We have been selling out all the time and people are lining up to buy tickets. That’s where this money is coming from.”
He says the renos will consist of upgrades to the bathrooms to have walk-in showers and safety poles, as well as new toilets for two rooms. He adds that they have a longstanding relationship with Pioneer Lodge as veterans and family members reside there.
Bell says they welcome these donations as the bathroom upgrades assist residents with mobility issues and gives them back their independence.
In the bigger picture, Pioneer Lodge & House is pitching to the federal and provincial governments for a major upgrade. She explains that in 2019, there were over 114 people on the waiting list for 132 rooms. Bell says the current wait list is 79 are they are seeing that number growing even as they continue to make strides with the existing facilities.
“Well we have certainly approached our MLA’s and we have approached the MP’s on both sides of the border. We have received a lot of support from them. And there is certainly grants that we can apply for and we are in the process of doing that, and we are hopeful, because the need is definitely here.”
She says the key is the residents have their independence to spend their time doing what they enjoy, and administration secures the facility management.