Sharbot Lake Legion to re-open

Jeff Green | Jul 07, 2011

It was a case of a big problem that became a huge, and costly headache.

Back in early March the septic system for the Legion Hall in Sharbot Lake failed. Right away, members of the Legion executive, including the outgoing President Guy Cooke and incoming President Patty Middleton, knew that replacing an older system with a new system that complies with stringent new building code regulations was going to be a challenge. But they couldn't have known how much of challenge it would end up being.

“We found out that because of our commercial liquor license we required an 8,000 gallon septic tank, when we had a 1,000 gallon tank before. This was the case even though we are only open three days a week,” said Patty Middleton.

A larger tank meant a larger weeping bed, and even with a filter bed system instead of a traditional septic system, that meant that the limited parking lot at the Legion would have to be shrunk almost out of existence.

“We just don't have a large lot to work with, and that stopped us in our tracks,” said Guy Cooke.

Finally a solution was found using a tertiary treatment system, enabling the use of a much smaller weeping bed that fits on the property without cutting into the parking lot. The system is made by a company called Bionest, based in Shawinigan, Quebec.

Bionest's Ontario headquarters is in Pembroke, and out of that office a solution was offered. That was the good news. The company did offer a discount for the Legion. That was also good news, but the price of the system was still a lot more than the local Legion could afford.

“With all of the labour involved, and heavy equipment, on top of the system that includes three separate tanks, etc. the whole thing would cost over $100,000 to put in,” said Patty Middleton.

A couple of things happened to make the project possible.

First, all of the heavy equipment needed to dig out a big enough hole for all the tanks, and to prepare a septic bed, as well as all the labour, was donated by local contractors. Secondly, some of the ancillary costs, such as a grease remover for the kitchen (a requirement for the system to operate properly) have been paid for through donations from community members.

In the end, the Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation came through with a $40,000 loan to the local Legion branch, and once that arrangement was accepted by Ontario Command, the project was a go.

On Thursday, June 30, the trucks and cranes arrived to put the two-piece concrete tanks in place, and a host of local contractors and other helpers, including the Central Frontenac Deputy Fire Chief, were on hand to help put the tanks together.

While the first tank is a standard septic tank that removes solids from liquids, the secondary tank is the Bionest innovation. The tank is filled with a polymer ribbon, which forms a nest for bacteria to adhere to as they go to work reacting with the contaminants in the waste. Air is pumped into the tank to encourage the biological reaction. The water then moves on to secondary treatment, by the time it enters the new weeping bed that is being put in, the water is already clean.

The workers went on throughout the afternoon on June 30, but the tanks required 72 hours to set before the treatment tank could be filled with water. Work is continuing this week, and a Health Unit inspection is scheduled for July 11.

“We are hoping to be open July 15 for a Friday night supper in our newly air-conditioned Legion hall,” says an optimistic Patty Middleton. “It's been a long haul and there were moments when we didn’t know if we would ever re-open, but thanks to the community support we have received, we will be around for a long time yet.”

The Legion has been a source of funding for many community groups over the years, and now is the time for the community to come to the support of the Legion.

Friday Night suppers and other events will be raising money to pay off the $40,000 loan, and donations to the Legion will be gratefully accepted.

A formal fundraising campaign is being planned by the Legion executive.