The local drill hall in Merritt is a hundred years old this month. February 1915 saw the building turned over to the owners the Federal Government.

Located at 1701 Coldwater avenue it has been the home of the Rocky Mountain Rangers for most of its existence, the Trudeau government sold it to the Elks in the 1960s for a dollar and that organization sponsored the 950 Merritt Cadet Corp for some years. The Reserve unit a mortar platoon support company was wound down at that time and later the Cadets moved across the street to a youth facility.

When built the City of Merritt just incorporated in 1911 would have been about 600 people, the armory would have involved a large percentage of the population.

They are having an open house at the old armoury on February 21st, this Saturday. The Lt Governor Judy Guichon a Valley  native will be in attendance.

 

On this Day: February 19th 1986

Canadian Hockey Player and Montreal Canadians draftee, from Alberta Kyle Chipchura is born.