Kensington Legion redevelopment breaks ground
Local community groups opposed project, which includes new home for legion plus 8-storey condo building
Officials held a ceremonial groundbreaking Friday for a contentious redevelopment of the Kensington Legion site.
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Truman Development Corp. is working with the Royal Canadian Legion to replace the aging North Calgary Branch No. 264 with a new home on the western edge of the property at Kensington Road and 18th St. N.W. The legion will occupy two of the four storeys and lease out the remaining space.
Truman will then build an eight-storey, 210-unit condo building where the legion currently sits.
The ground floor will have space for several shops, including an 11,000-square-foot grocery store.
Kensington Legion president Bill Cox says the project can be an example for other legions across the country.
"Reach out into your community. There are a number of branches that are sitting on some property, that maybe they can work something to bring forward their image within their community," he said.
The proposal has faced stiff opposition from some local residents who argued the condo building's 31-metre height was too tall for the area and that the development would create traffic problems.