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Contact Us
Fredericton Garrison Club Inc.
P.O. Box 147
Fredericton, NB
E3B 4Y2
(506) 454-6744
President
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Manager
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
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Club History
 The Garrison Club was established in 1969 and for many years occupied the Officer's Mess, formerly part of the Military Hospital complex which was erected in the early 1940's next to Fredericton Victoria Public Hospital on the south bank of the St. John River, east of Old Government House. This complex was part of the Canadian Army Base Training Centre at Fredericton. After the war, the Hospital complex became the home of the H.Q.N.B. Area for the next 15 or more years when its duties were taken over by H.Q. Camp Gagetown.
The Officer's Mess of H.Q.N.B. Area extended to prominent citizens and recently retired officers of His Majesty's service, an invitation to became honourary members of their Mess, of which some 75 accepted. In 1969, a group of Honorary members formed an ad hoc committee to form a Fredericton Garrison Club and to petition the Government of Canada, owners of the military complex, and the Government of New Brunswick to support their petition. Premier Louis J. Robichaud gave his immediate support and after two years of negotiations, the Government of Canada agreed to transfer the title to the land to the Garrison Club for $1.0. Lease of the land was granted (for 49 years commencing in 1975) for a percentage of the assessed value per annum. Structural improvements and extensive renovations to the building were completed at that time. The Club was incorporated, and in 1969 began operating as "The Fredericton Garrison Club Inc." with one hundred and ten Charter Members. The aims and objectives as outlined in the Club By-laws are as follows:
2.1 To establish, maintain ans conduct a social club for the accommodation of its members and their friends, to provide club facilities in the nature of those provided by a Services Mess and other conveniences, and generally to afford to members all the usual privileges, advantages, conveniences and accommodations of a club, and to promote friendly and social intercourse among its members.
2.1 To continue the facilities formerly provided by the Area headquarters Officer's Mess at Fredericton, and generally to foster the military tradition and connection in the Fredericton area. The first General Meeting elected Brigadier A.F.G. Knight as President, 1969 -1970. (This position is filled annually from among the CHARTER or General Membership). As membership ceased being limited to "male military types", the Club was honored to welcome Mrs. Ruth Stanley, wife of the Lieutenant-Governor, the first woman to be accepted as a full member in 1987.
Early Sunday morning on October 25, 1992, the Garrison Club experienced a disastrous fire which caused virtually a total loss of all Club inventories and assets. In addition, the Club was not allowed to rebuild on its former site. As a result, the Club operated on a much restricted basis in facilities of the R.C.A.F. Association quarters and later at the Lord Beaverbrook Hotel. Only a few valuable artifacts were saved including Charter Members plaque and wall plaques of Brigadier the Honourable Milton F. Gregg, VC, (1976 - 1978), Honorary Patron of the Club, and the Club's first Honorary President, Lieutenant-General, E.W. Sansom, (1982). In 1996, the Club was honored to add Dr. Reginald E. Tweeddale, O.C. as the present Honorary Patron. In July of 1998, the Club relocated to the Armories, renewing its affiliation with the 1st Royal New Brunswick Regiment Carleton York. The original Charter member Club list is presently on display in our facilities at the Armories. The Club enjoys numerous affiliations with similar clubs from coast to coast as well as in London, England and Bermuda. This reciprocal arrangement allows members to avail themselves of the facilities and contacts which are much more elaborate than the modest offerings of the Garrison Club at present. M.S.B. |
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