After folding Orillia Geneva Bingo Charity back in September, The Royal Canadian Legion Orillia Branch 34 is resurrecting the popular bingo nights.
Orillia Legion president Rick Purcell says the construction at the bottom of Mississaga Street East really hurt Geneva Bingo at the end of last summer and resulted in poor attendance.
“Now that the construction is finished, the parking is better,” he said. “Winter is coming to an end, so this is the perfect time to start bingo again.”
When the Legion folded bingo nights, Purcell says they received a lot of phone calls from devastated long-time supporters.
“When we would see people on the street they would always come and ask us about when it was coming back,” he said. “So, we decided to start it up again.”
The new and improved bingo nights will take place every Wednesday starting on March 29 with doors opening at 5 p.m. Early bird games begin at 7 p.m., and the regular games will follow,
“It’s a slightly new format,” Purcell said. “Some of the prizes are different and some of the games are different. People like variety.”
This time, the bingo nights won’t be running under the auspices of Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. Now it will be approved by the City of Orillia.
“There are fewer restrictions now,” he said. “There are a lot fewer rules which allow us to change some things around.”
The Legion has "spruced up" the bingo hall "to provide a friendly environment for our players.”
Purcell says having bingo back is massive for the Legion.
“We are making a small profit these days,” he said. “Some months we lose a little bit, other months we make a little bit, so having bingo to lean on is a big deal for the Legion.”
Bingo proceeds raised will once again support eight different youth sports organizations such as Orillia Legion Minor Baseball in addition to community organizations, and community festivals like the Canada Day celebration in Couchiching Beach Park.
“To be able to donate to the community is important for us and important for them,” Purcell said. “The community organizations we support weren’t very happy when bingo stopped, and they are excited that it’s coming back.”
