During COVID-19 quarantine The Bradford Legion underwent a makeover.
Freshly painted walls and doors, Plexiglass and new blinds are just some of the changes inside the hall's club room.
Bradford Legion President Tammy Paglia says the pandemic gave the Legion's executive members the opportunity to freshen up the space while being closed off to the public. Last year, the front hall was renovated with new flooring due to flooding.
The club room has been repainted to a light, neutral grey from its previous dark grey and burgandy colours, and displays and photos have been rearranged throughout the club.
To better limit touch points, the washrooms have been equipped with motion detected lighting and some stalls have been blocked off to keep with the six feet distancing guidelines.
The stage has been moved from the east side of the room to the north side and the floors have been buffed.
"It's (the room) a little more symetrical," noted Paglia, adding that they are hoping to be able to add some in-house karaoke to their schedule in the future.
"We can't have cards so Saturdays are pretty dead here," she said.
The tables inside have been spaced out for social distancing with three chairs per table. This summer, the Legion took part in the town's patio program and have been hosting their Friday night dinners outside for better spacing.
"We had renovated with the idea that we could have 25 people inside, because we didn't know what was going to happen (for indoor capacity)," commented Paglia.
Paglia says the patio has drawn in many guests, with about 50 people coming to the dinners each week.
"We've never had that many before," she shared. "I think the patio is a draw, and people wanting to support The Legion."
Paglia noted that the Legion has also been delivering meals to some seniors living at 100 Miller Park Ave. apartment complex, who are unable to drive to the weekly dinner events.
"The first week we had seven orders, this week we'll have 15," she said.
Majority of the Legion's income comes from hall rentals and entertainment events, and are currently looking at ways to slowly reopen their facilities for gatherings.
"We have a plan in phases," explained Paglia.
The first phase would include events with no more than 40 people, with the executive setting up the tables and limited to small meetings, celebrations of life and sit down dinners. No singing or dancing would be permitted.
"You can play music, just no live music, singing or dancing," she noted.
She said prices for rentals would need to be adjusted for guests.
"We'd have to lower our rental rates because they aren't getting the full benefit of the room," she said.
Slowly but surely, the Legion will be able to offer its facilities to the public again, once the plans have been finalized.
Their kitchen space is available for rentals as well, where Bradford's Robert Salmons (The Jam Guy) currently uses once per week to make his homemade jam products.
"There's lots to think about," said Paglia on the reopening protocols. "We're always thinking ahead."
