American Legion Post 53 Builds New Pavilion for Veterans and Community

A new outdoor pavilion is taking shape on the American Legion property on West Eighth Street in Front Royal, providing the organization with additional space for concerts, picnics, meetings, dances, and other community and family events.

Standing beneath the new American Legion pavilion in Front Royal are, from left, Mike McCool of the Royal Examiner, American Legion Commander Rick Kinsey, and Financial Officer Doug Doberer.

The large structure is already hard to miss for motorists traveling along Royal Avenue, where clearing and construction on the property had previously prompted questions about what was planned for the site.

American Legion Commander Rick Kinsey and financial officer Doug Doberer recently provided an update on the project, explaining that the pavilion is part of a larger effort to make better use of the Legion property and create more opportunities for members and the community.

The pavilion structure is largely in place, but work remains before the project is complete.

Kinsey said plans include installing tongue-and-groove material along the underside of the rafters, painting, pouring the concrete floor, and constructing restrooms nearby. The bathrooms are planned to be ADA accessible.

An additional patio area is also planned, providing space for barbecuing and bands. Electrical service will be available to support events.

The pavilion measures about 40 feet by 80 feet, providing enough room for a wide range of uses.

The Legion hopes to hold an opening concert toward the end of October. The pavilion itself is expected to be completed by then, although Kinsey said the restrooms may not be finished yet.

The project is being completed without taking on debt, according to Kinsey and Doberer.

The work also settles some of the speculation that followed clearing on the property. Rather than preparing the land for residential development, the American Legion consolidated the lots into a single property at 22 W. Eighth St.

The pavilion is part of a broader effort to keep the local American Legion active and welcoming to veterans and their families.

Kinsey acknowledged that the organization could do more to tell the community about its work.

Membership is one area where Legion leaders hope to see growth.

The local post has membership opportunities for eligible veterans, while family connections to military service can also provide eligibility through other parts of the American Legion family, including the Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion.

Annual membership was described during the discussion as $45.

Warren County has a substantial veteran population, giving the organization a large group of residents it hopes to reach.

The Legion already offers several activities at its Eighth Street facility. Its breakfasts have become a regular draw, and the building includes pool tables, a full kitchen and an upstairs space capable of accommodating more than 100 people for dining and events.

Weddings have also been held inside the facility.

Leaders said the organization is increasingly focused on being a family-oriented gathering place rather than fitting the old image of a veterans club centered around a bar and smoking.

One significant change is coming Oct. 1, when the facility is scheduled to become smoke-free.

Following the change, plans call for work downstairs, including painting, trim work, and other improvements.

The pavilion will add another dimension to those efforts by moving more activities outdoors. Potential uses discussed include concerts, barbecues, dances and private gatherings.

The Legion also supports the American Legion Community Band, another longtime presence in the Front Royal area.

Kinsey has served as commander for about six years and said he has been a member of the local organization for 57 years.

As construction moves toward completion, Legion leaders hope the pavilion will help introduce more residents to the organization and provide another gathering place in the community.

For those who have been driving past the property and wondering about the construction, the answer is becoming increasingly visible: the open lot is being transformed into a space designed for veterans, their families, and community gatherings.

If work remains on schedule, music could be coming from the new pavilion before the end of October.