General Information
Type of Resource: Building
Civic Address: 4552 Lakelse Avenue
Legal Property Description: Lot A, Block 6, District Lot 369, Plan 972, Range 5 Coast District
Construction Date: 1921
Current Owner: Eryn Griffith
Council Resolution: 2015-061
Designated Municipal Heritage Site: No designation
Current Operation: Eryn Griffith
Historic Details
The Great War Veterans' Association (GWVA) Hall is recognized for its historic, cultural, and social values. It is valued for its direct historic connection to the region's veterans of World War I and for its association with the national movement to unite men and women of the Canadian military from across the country in a common cause. The national Great War Veterans' Association was formed in 1917 and grew to be the largest organization of its time. By 1925 there were more than 700 branches across the country, including one in Terrace. In late 1925, a unity conference held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, led to the amalgamation of the various veterans' groups, including the GWVA, leading to the eventual creation of what is now known as the Royal Canadian Legion.
Elsie K. Smith, 1922, City of Terrace Collection.
The GWVA Hall is valued for its central location within the community and for the role it played in the early days of the formation of Terrace's social and cultural life. It was often referred to as Terrace's "community centre."
A lack of funds meant the veterans lost ownership of the hall to mortgage holder O.T. Sundal in 1928. However, the building remained a social centre in the town until the mid-1930s. In March 1939, the building suffered a significant structural change when, due to heavy snow loads, the roof of the structure collapsed and the building was converted to a one-storey structure. In the early 1940s, Sundal put apartments in the building to help alleviate the community's housing shortage. In the late 1940s, a second storey was added by then-owners George and Betty McAdams, who started a furniture store.
Felber collection, 1950s.
Today
Throughout the post-war years, the GWVA Hall has housed a restaurant, a furniture store, a TV store and office supply store, and a boutique clothing store.