In the heart of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, a 108-unit residential building, the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 project, now stands as a community cornerstone that addresses housing needs while preserving important military history.

The $32.7 million project arose from a need to revitalize the aging Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 facility while simultaneously addressing the housing crisis among veterans and community members. Built on the former site of the Wawanosh Residential School for Girls, the nine-story building encompasses 154,780 square feet and houses not only residential units but also the Legion’s new home, complete with a museum and gathering hall.

“The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 is extremely happy and proud of the entire project,” explains Holly Tennant, communications coordinator for SalDan General Contractors Inc. “They needed an update for their branch due to the aging of the original building.”
With 73,970 square feet of exterior ICF walls and 68,400 square feet of interior ICF walls, the building achieves 100% ICF construction for its exterior envelope. This project was the MultiFamily winner in the 2025 ICF Builder Awards.

The community’s enthusiasm for the project was evident even before construction began, with more than 500 people requesting to be placed on the waiting list. The building was delivered 90 days ahead of schedule, demonstrating the efficiency advantages of ICF construction. The choice of Amvic by Alleguard ICF systems, supplied by the trusted manufacturer that SalDan has worked with for years, enabled the team to maintain their ambitious timeline despite Northern Ontario’s harsh winter conditions.

Northern Ontario’s severe winters presented unique challenges that ICF construction helped overcome. The team developed innovative solutions to maintain concrete quality in sub-freezing temperatures.

“ICF method allowed for timely construction during Northern Ontario’s frigid and snowy winters with no days lost to weather,” Tennant notes. “Colder months required us to pre-heat the reinforcing bars before each pour, allowing us to keep the poured concrete above 35°C. To achieve this, we had to core holes at the bottom of the walls for forced heat while having the top of the wall insulated with R30 F.F., quite simple and cost-effective.”

Architectural Innovation & Historical Sensitivity
The building’s design maximizes both interior and exterior space to enhance veterans’ and tenants’ lifestyles. Amenities include a Legion bar and restaurant, resident gardens built atop the ICF parking garage entrance, party rooms, a library with computers, sauna facilities, and a rooftop patio featuring a walking track and outdoor kitchens with pizza ovens.

The building was designed with 10-foot high walls in the parking garage, 12-foot-high walls on the ground floor, and 9-foot-high walls from floors 2 through 9. Residents have options of 13 different suite layouts, with each unit providing independent living with full kitchens, large bathrooms, balconies, and in-suite laundry facilities.

The building’s memorial tower is crowned with the Legion symbol and features a perpetual light that shines bright red day and night — a constant reminder of the building’s dedication to honoring those who served.

The project’s location on the former Wawanosh Residential School site required careful attention to historical and cultural sensitivities. The construction team worked closely with the Legion and the Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association to ensure proper protocols were followed.

“We worked with the Legion and Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association to ensure that there were no unmarked burials on the land,” Tennant explains. “Additionally, extra precaution had to be taken to keep the existing Wawanosh Memorial Monument safe during demolition of the existing building and construction of the new one.”

Sustainability & Impact
The project incorporates numerous sustainable features, including a Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system that individually controls each suite while managing multiple conditioning zones simultaneously. This system significantly impacts energy consumption and helps reduce the building’s carbon footprint.

“Using ICF to ensure quality material and detail to design which increases building safety, sound transmission rating for tenant enjoyment, and lowers building maintenance,” Tennant notes. “As the building ages, there will be limited issues and maintenance needed, helping building management keep costs lower than other buildings.”

The underground parking garage is pre-wired for future electric vehicle charging stations, demonstrating forward-thinking planning for evolving transportation needs.

The project has attracted significant attention, including visits from high-profile government officials. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau toured the construction site, as did Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development.
Media coverage has been extensive, with features on CTV News, CBC News, Soo Today, and the Sault Star, bringing national attention to this innovative approach to veteran housing.

“This build is monumental for the Royal Canadian Legion as it has revitalized financial stability for the Branch 25, bringing a safe and welcoming home for our veterans and community members,” Tennant emphasizes.

Perhaps most significantly, the success of this project has established it as a prototype for future Legion developments across Canada. The combination of ICF construction, thoughtful design, and community integration has created a model that addresses multiple needs simultaneously.

“This build is a Canadian Legion prototype for future builds due to its flawless construction, functionality, efficiency, and affordability,” says Tennant. “We were able to easily achieve this and pass Ontario Building Code inspections with the use of ICF and all environmental energy efficiency as mandated by the Canadian Federal Government.”

The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 stands as more than just a successful construction project—it represents a new model for community development that honors the past while building for the future, all made possible through the innovative application of ICF construction methods.

“The new legion space and its layout allow unlimited opportunities for legion member gatherings, events, and other sources of income to support the branch,” Tennant said. “Overall, the new Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 has brought our community closer and improved the relationship they have with the entire city.”