Monday was a good day for Bradford veterans.
Bradford American Legion Post 108 opened the doors of its new facility at 210 W. Washington St.
The best part of the new building? No stairs, said First Vice Commander Keith Reed.
The single-story design of the building makes it easier for older veterans to take part. The split-level setup of the former Pine Street was a major consideration when members decided to purchase a different building.
On Monday, Reed and Adjutant Clair Butler offered The Era a tour of the new facility.
In addition to the lack of stairs, the new building has plenty to offer the veterans, including a large parking lot and a comfortable amount of space inside.
Among the rooms are a conference room; restrooms; offices for the club manager, commander, adjutant, the auxiliary and the Sons of the American Legion; and a room with gun safes to store guns for the Honor Guard. The kitchen is set with the stove and fryers in place, and there is a walk-in cooler.
The state Liquor Control Board issued the license transfer Monday, just in time for members to socialize at their new bar, said Butler. The shuffleboard table and pool table from Pine Street will eventually be moved to West Washington Street.
Smoking is not allowed in the building.
Adjacent to the barroom is a room furnished with tables and chairs that can be separated from the bar with a wall that slides out.
Butler agreed the Legion members are hoping to host more events now that they have the new facility.
The Legion members are keeping a watchful eye on their new home. The new facility has 16 security cameras that observe areas throughout the building.
“We have complete security on the place,” Butler explained.
At this point, about 90 percent of the items from the Pine Street location have already been moved to West Washington Street, said Reed.
The Legion also owns 222 W. Washington St. — right next to 210 W. Washington St. in the same building.
“That’s where we would love to have the VA,” said Butler.
Reed said the McKean County VA Clinic is currently located in Old City Hall on Kennedy Street. He explained veterans will often have to park far away from the clinic and walk.
At 222 W. Washington St., it is “already handicap accessible,” and there is “plenty of parking,” Reed said.
As it is a former WIC office and diabetic clinic, the facility is already set up with offices that would be ideal for the VA clinic, according to Butler and Reed.
Butler said the Legion has been in contact with Zach Pearson, McKean County director of veterans services, as well as a man in Erie, about the idea.
There is no current plan to move the VA.
Multiple businesses and agencies have called 210 and 222 W. Washington St. home in previous years. The list includes the law offices of Pecora and Duke, the West Washington Street Outlet, the WIC program, and a diabetic clinic.
The new Legion is housed in commercial space right next to the former Parkview Supermarket.
While the move to West Washington Street is good news for the Legion, 22 Pine St. holds decades of history for the veterans. Reed said the Legion was located on Pine Street for 97 years.
