A last dance celebrates community sport in a historic Saanich hall switching from swinging your partner to flipping your foe. The historic social function of the Royal Oak Hall has been an ongoing part of the Saanich community since its construction in 1911. It provided the Royal Oak Women’s Institute, which has operated the building since 1930, the opportunity to work with women, expand their skills, broaden their interests and work together to improve conditions in the home, the community and around the world.
Since 1966 the historic building has been a main venue for square dancing in Greater Victoria. Kenzen Karate purchased the hall from the Women’s Institute in March with karate lessons starting in the fall. “As the Women’s Institute we are strong community people.
The hall was built for the community (and) we’re so happy to hear that Kenzen Karate is taking over ...
it’s going to be well used as a community hall. We’re very happy with that,” said president Donna Jack. It does mean a permanent mat going down on the beautiful floors built for square dancing, so the organization hosts one last hurrah on Aug.
28. “We’re going to have a panel of callers, callers who have not called with us for a long time are coming back to make this a great celebration of the very last dance here at the hall,” Jack said. If the walls could speak, so many stories could be told of fun and friendship over the years, say longtime dancers.
The hall has provided a dancing h.