The Iola American Legion post is getting ready to move.
First, a number of repairs to what had been a tavern at 215 W. Garfield St. must be complete, Post Commander Loren Mitchell said.
The work is scheduled for completion this summer.
In so doing, Mitchell hopes to see greater participation among Legionnaires, and their families.
The Legion has been in a state of flux since its old building sold in the 400 block of West Patterson Avenue in January, with one organizational meeting held to determine whether the members wished to disband. (They did not.)
For now, members of the Leslie J. Campbell Post 15 have been meeting temporarily at Iola?s First Christian Church on the second Tuesday of each month.
Mitchell isn?t certain if the new quarters will be ready for the Legion?s June meeting.
As an aside, moving the Legion to what had been a tavern ? it was the Monkey Butt Saloon for years; Riley?s Bar and Grill prior to that ? will allow the Legion to move away from the ?bar hounds? Mitchell said.
That?s because part of the renovations include removing the old bar portion of the facility to allow room for a more spacious meeting room.
The Legion has 79 members, ?although we?re lucky if six show up for the meetings,? Mitchell said.
Mitchell is optimistic the new location will draw larger crowds.
?The old building was too far off the beaten path,? he said. ?This one is more visible.?