The major makeover of American Legion Post 249 is on schedule and will be ready to show off to the community at an open house planned for July 9.
San Joaquin County Supervisor Sonny Dhaliwal on Monday delivered the first installment of $340,000 he secured to help cover the balance of the $1.1 million project that made significant American with Disabilities improvements to the nearly century old building plus modernized the entire interior.
Dhaliwal said the county investment in the Legion Hall upgrades was a way of thanking the men and women who had served their country and secured our collective freedoms and liberties.
The Legion expects to have all work — including kitchen equipment and such — paid for when the project is done.
Post Commander Jeff Aksland noted the project started seven years ago as a bid to improve access to restrooms that required going up narrow steps and through and equally narrow door.
When the cost was determined for just improving the restrooms, the post decided to remodel the entire building.
They were able to wed what funds they had raised with $789,500 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds secured from the county.
The post, however, failed to account for the requirement to hire contractors paying the prevailing wage given it involves the use of federal money.
Dhaliwal was able to secure the additional funding.
Major points of the modernization include:
*Two new restrooms at the front of the building where there is also an office and a bar area.
*The stage was removed and replaced with a kitchen and a storage room.
*The old kitchen in the basement has been converted to storage.
*New flooring, windows, ceiling complete with four large ceiling fans, and doors.
*Expansion of the side entrance by adding steps opposite of the ADA ramp.
*7-foot wrought iron fence around the perimeter.
The Legion meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. Until the remodel is finished they are meeting at the VFW Hall on Moffat Boulevard.
The hall was built in 1929 as a gathering spot for veterans who have served America has the capacity to seat 110 — one 20th of Manteca’s population at the time.
The hall, however, over the years has been more than simply a place for veterans to gather to support each other and to seek assistance.
For decades, it was also “the” community gathering spot in Manteca.
Manteca residents would flock to the Legion Hall for various community gatherings.
Even with its limitations, the hall still serves as a community gathering space for Manteca. Prior to the remodel, it was routinely booked for wedding receptions and other events to help breathe life into the 100 and 200 blocks of East Yosemite Avenue on the weekends.
There is a huge demand to rent the hall due to it being smaller and less expensive than other venues such as the nearby MRPS and FESM halls that are often booked solid.
The Legion post is actively seeking new members.
Membership is $40 a year
For more information contact Jeff Aksland at 209-454-0268.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
