Refurbishments give Ellon Legion a new lease of life
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Ellon Legion is almost unrecognisable just 18 months after the committee were forced to call an emergency meeting to discuss the club's closure.
Just weeks after the decision to fight to keep the Legion open the country was thrown into lockdown and all plans were forced on hold.
Determined not to rest on their laurels, the committee decided to use lockdown as an opportunity to carry out some refurbishments.
Starting with the Legion's exterior, refurbishment work has also been carried out in the foyer, the bar and the snooker room which was previously obsolete.
The toilets, which will include a baby changing area, and kitchen areas will be the next areas to be updated.
Chairman Douglas Watson said: "When lockdown happened we realised that we could either see this as a problem or an opportunity, and we chose opportunity.
"There's still a lot of work to be done but the difference is remarkable.
"We are so grateful to our community - both our Legion community and the wider Ellon community - for all of their support.
"A lot of people have been involved in making this possible and we thank them all.
"We found that there were a lot of misconceptions about the Legion, namely that it was only for veterans, and we are working to spread the word that these aren't true.
"Anybody who agrees with the mission of the Royal British Legion - that is, that ex-servicemen should have support - can be a member.
"People said they didn't know the Legion was here, so we've made sure that it's not just a little door hidden away round the side any more.
"We're in a strong position now to keep Ellon Legion going for years to come."
Ellon Legion are also excited to announce that meals will soon be available again after securing Mitchell Catering, formerly of Mcdonald Golf Club, who will be serving weekend taster sessions throughout July and will offer a full menu from August.
