Gen. W. Sikorski Polish Veterans’ Association Hall

In 1933, “The Polish Army Veterans’ Branch 136” was established. Five years later, the name of the group was changed to The Marshal Josef Pilsudski Polish Army Veterans, and in 1961, the name changed one final time to Gen. W. Sikorski Polish Veterans’ Association.

The group first met at the Polish Alliance Hall on Olive Avenue, and this served as their base of operations until 1968. In the late 1950s, 80 acres of farm land was purchased in north Oshawa; the land was to be used partly as a picnic area, but the long term plans were to eventually build a hall for the organization.    

The Gen. W. Sikorski Polish Veterans’ Centre was officially opened on November 9, 1968, serving as headdquarters of the Association, as a banquet hall for community members, and, during Fiesta, as the Krakow pavilion, with food and shows taking place Monday to Friday during the annual event. The group was also active during World War II, hosting commemorative celebrations and fundraising initiatives.

References:

https://www.generalsikorskihall.com/the-association

Rev. Stanisław Poszwa [transl. Helen Miklaszewski]. Events in the Life of St. Hedwig’s Parish and the Polish Community in Oshawa. (Brantford: Bialas Printing Limited, 1997).