American Legion Post 249 is on target to mark the start of its 105th anniversary in 2025 with a significant upgrade of their post home

Nearly $800,000 secured from San Joaquin County’s share of federal COVID fund along with money the Legion’s foundation has raised so far will allow renovations to modernize the brick structure built in 1929 that will also allow it to comply with current American with Disabilities Act standards.

The project will:

*Relocate bathrooms to the front area of the hall. Currently they are accessed via stairs and narrow passages at the rear of the building.

*The front area will include a new office and storage space.

*The basement below the stage — where the current kitchen  is located — will be converted to storage space.

*The stage will be removed and replaced with a modern kitchen and bar area.

*The entire inside will have new flooring, lighting, and fans.

*Wrought iron fencing will secure the plaza area in front of the hall as well as an area to the rear.

Post Commander Jeff Aksland is leading the remodel efforts.

LDA Partners — the same firm that renovated the HOPE Family Shelter and designed the transit station — is doing the detailed remodel plans.

The goals is for the plans to be submitted to  the city within the next three months. Once approved and a contractor is secured, work is anticipated to take six months.

The  post will need to still raise money to support completing the renovation project. That is likely to include commercial style kitchen appliances as well as furniture such as tables and chairs.

Besides accepting donations, the Legion foundation is in the process of scheduling additional “roasts” of Manteca area personalities and community leaders

The American Legion McFall-Grisham Post 249 less than a decade made $17,000 of improvements to  install an ADA complaint handicap ramp and door from the side parking lot.

 The hall 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 remodel is expected to retain roughly the same seating capacity.

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. It is also 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.

When the project is completed, a ribbon cutting will be held with the Chamber of Commerce, as well as an open house for the citizens for Manteca.

Post officials are appreciative of Supervisor Tom Patti for helping to secure the funding.

They also thank the community for their continued support especially via monthly dinners conducted at the hall.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com